Injured horse rider helped by RNLI lifeguards on Ainsdale Beach

Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeguards came to the aid of a girl who had been thrown from her horse on Wednesday afternoon (15 August) on Ainsdale beach.

The incident happened at around 5.30pm when the 16-year-old fell off her horse after the animal became spooked by pools of water that had formed at the north end of the beach following heavy rain.

RNLI lifeguards were quick to respond and rushed to help the girl who had landed badly.

The charity’s lifeguards Ruben Banfield, Brian Hare, Daniel Grayson, Brendan Greer and Ryan Jennings worked as a team to treat the casualty.

They attached a neck collar to the girl and log rolled her onto a spinal board to help minimise her injuries. Oxygen was also administered.

The girl was then airlifted to hospital and paramedics praised the lifeguards for their treatment of the casualty.

The 16-year-old is being treated in hospital for a fractured skull and a broken ankle but is expected to make a full recovery.

RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor, Peter Rooney said: ‘All RNLI lifeguards receive comprehensive first aid training as part of the role and it is this essential training that can really make a big difference in situations like this.’

He added: ‘As well as a great team effort from our lifeguards, this incident also showed how the RNLI works successfully with other organisations, such as the Air Ambulance and Sefton Coast and Countryside Rangers, whose input was invaluable.'

RNLI media contacts
For more information, please contact Clare Hopps, RNLI Press Officer, North, on 01642 750585 or 07824 518641 or at clare_hopps@rnli.org.uk