Gravesend RNLI go to the aid of crewman who had fallen 2.5 metres
The charities lifeboat was launched to a crewman aboard a commercial vessel who had fallen and sustained head and chest injuries.
The lifeboat was requested to launch by the UK Coastguard at 5.35pm (10 Feb) to reports that a crew member had fallen 2.5 metres (8.2 feet) and suffered head and chest injuries. The casualty was aboard a 98 metre commercial vessel in Gravesend Reach and it was on-route to Great Yarmouth.
The lifeboat arrived on-scene and quickly assessed the casualty and started casualty care. Due to the injuries and the fact the vessel was moving it was decided that the quickest and safest way to evacuate the casualty was by helicopter.
The UK coastguard helicopter based at Lydd (CG163) was tasked and arrived on-scene where the casualty was winched and taken direct to hospital.
The lifeboat was then stood down and returned to station.
Notes to editors
Gravesend is one of four lifeboat stations on the River Thames that are operated by the RNLI. Gravesend Lifeboat covers an area from Holehaven, at the western end of Canvey Island, to the Thames Flood Barrier at Woolwich, a distance of 26 miles. A patch which covers Kent, Essex and South London.
EndsRNLI media contacts
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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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