Wells RNLI volunteers assist casualty during medical emergency on Wells beach

Humber Coastguard requested assistance from Wells RNLI volunteers with casualty care experience after a person became unwell close to the harbour leading marks in the Pinewoods area.

Wells RNLI Soft Trak vehicle and casualty care crew left the boathouse at 11.24am and proceeded along the beach, arriving on scene at 11.35am. The volunteer crew began providing casualty care to the person, who was experiencing heart-related symptoms.

By 11.45am, the casualty’s condition had stabilised. Coastguard Rescue Team officers and a paramedic also arrived on scene to support the response.

Following further assessment, it was agreed the casualty should be transferred onto the Soft Trak vehicle and taken back to Wells RNLI boathouse. The crew left the scene at midday and returned to the boathouse, where the casualty was handed into the care of the ambulance crew at 12.20pm.

Coastguard helicopter 912 had also been tasked and arrived overhead at the same time as the ambulance crew. The helicopter was stood down and returned to Humberside Airport.

Further medical care was provided by the ambulance crew at Wells RNLI boathouse before the casualty was transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn for further checks at 1.01pm.

Chris Hardy, Wells RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: ‘This incident highlights just how important casualty care training is for our volunteers. Our crews can be called to a wide range of emergencies, both at sea and along the coast, and having volunteers trained to provide initial care and reassurance can make a real difference while other emergency services are on their way.

‘We would like to thank everyone involved in this multi-agency response, including HM Coastguard, the Coastguard Rescue Team, the paramedic, ambulance crew and Coastguard helicopter crew. On behalf of everyone at Wells RNLI, we send our very best wishes to the casualty and hope they make a full recovery.’

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteer crews provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the UK and Ireland, funded by voluntary donations.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Jess Curtis, Wells RNLI Volunteer Press Officer RNLI[email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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