COASTGUARDS were able to quickly locate a woman who sustained injuries to her wrist and was left unable to walk after slipping on a coastal path.

The Lyme Regis Coastguard Team was called to help the ambulance service just before 2pm yesterday afternoon.

The coastguard team said that the speedy response from emergency services was aided by the fact the woman had used the what3words app to help them find her location. Emergency services have adopted the global address system, the what3words app, in their control rooms to locate patients faster and more precisely.

A spokesman for Lyme Regis Coastguard said: "Lyme Regis Coastguard was tasked to assist the ambulance service with a casualty who had slipped and had sustained a suspected broken wrist. The female casualty was located somewhere on the undercliff coast path between Rousdon and Lyme Regis.

"Our colleagues from Beer also responded in case the casualty required to be carried out on a stretcher. She had been unable to walk immediately after suffering the injury. The team accessed the coast path below the Rousdon estate and then had a 30 minute walk to locate the casualty.

"Once the casualty was located, her wrist was strapped and together with the coastguards was able to walk to a suitable place to meet the ambulance. Once checked over by the ambulance service, the casualty was taken to hospital by friends for further checks.

"The casualty had acted quickly in calling for assistance. She had used the smartphone app @what3words to provide accurate location of the incident. It saved valuable time in locating the casualty and making sure she received the best care as quickly as possible.

"We wish the casualty a speedy recovery."