A busy start to 2017 for Gravesend RNLI
The charities lifeboat was launched to its first call of the year yesterday (5 Jan) then followed another two in the short space of 12 hours.
The lifeboat was requested to launch by the UK Coastguard at 3.31pm (5 Jan) to reports of a person who was cut off by the tide on the foreshore and unable to get back up a slippery sea wall at Gallions Reach, Thamesmead. Once the lifeboat arrived on scene the casualty was quickly located and assisted to safety.
The next launch was at 8.52pm (5 Jan) to reports of a person who was seen to jump from the QEII bridge, Dartford. The lifeboat arrived on scene and started a search of the area. The person was found and taken onto the lifeboat and emergency treatment was started. The person was then taken ashore and handed into the care of the ambulance service.
The last call came at 2.20am this morning (6 Jan) to reports of a person who was in or near the water at Greenhithe. The lifeboat was tasked to assist the police and provide safety cover from the river and after a short time the person was taken into the care of landside police and away from the river.
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
- Alan Carr, Gravesend RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer
07775 822584, [email protected] - Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) 0207 6207426 / 07785 296252 [email protected]
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.