Looe RNLI lifeboat crew’s afternoon sailing plans interrupted by a multi agency

In a multi-agency rescue the casualty was winched down to the beach below. As the HM Coastguard helicopter was unable to land on this beach, the casualty was transferred by inshore lifeboat to Seaton beach where the helicopter landed to take the casualty to hospital.

Many of Looe RNLI’s volunteer crew were getting ready on Looe seafront for Saturday afternoon’s sailing when their plans were interrupted by pagers sounding at 1.46 pm, following reports of a person stuck on cliffs to the East of Downderry. With a quick dash to the lifeboat station next door, both of the charity’s inshore lifeboats launched within six minutes and headed across Looe bay. Looe, Tamar and Plymouth Mountbatten Coastguard teams also responded along with the HM Coastguard helicopter based in Newquay.

Standing by offshore the lifeboats spotted the casualty 40’ up the cliff. In a difficult winching operation due to overhanging rocks and an area of loose soil due to a recent land slip the casualty was lowered to the beach below. As the helicopter was unable to land on this beach a decision was made to transfer the casualty by the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat to Seaton beach where the coastguard teams prepared a safe landing area. The casualty was transferred to the helicopter and flown to hospital.

The Atlantic 85 and D Class inshore lifeboats returned to Looe Lifeboat Station where they were washed down and refuelled ready to go back on service at 3.30 pm.

Looe Lifeboat station recommend when you are on the coast to always carry a mobile phone, check the tide times and tell someone where you are going and what time you expect to return. If you get cut off by the tide do not take any risks by attempting to climb the cliffs.

Atlantic 85 crew: David Jackman (helm), Brian Bowdler, Ben Crabb and Dale Staff

D Class crew: Matthew Jaycock, Richard Porter and Robert Deakin

END

Notes to editors

· Picture -

Looe RNLI Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II leaving Looe river and heading towards Downderry credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· Picture -
Looe RNLI D Class Ollie Naismith leaving Looe river and heading towards Downderry
credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· For further information on Looe RNLI Lifeboats please visit our website www.looelifeboats.co.uk

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Ian Foster, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Looe Lifeboat Station, on 07902 753228 or [email protected] or [email protected]

or

Amy Caldwell, RNLI Public Relations Manager, on 07920 818807 or [email protected]

or

Emma Haines, RNLI Press Officer, on 07786 668847 or [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.

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