Kyle of Lochalsh RNLI called to extract a casualty from Eilean Donan Castle

Kyle lifeboat Spirit of Fred. Olsen launched at 5:56pm, after the Scottish Ambulance Service had requested assistance to extract the 48 year old male who had fallen on rocks, and had suffered a suspected fractured ankle.

The lifeboat arrived on scene at 6:04pm, and two lifeboat crew members were put ashore to liaise with the ambulance crew. It was decided that the lifeboat would transport the casualty from the castle island to the slipway at Dornie hall, where he could be safely transferred to the ambulance. After the casualty was strapped into the stretcher, he was carried onto the lifeboat and taken the short distance to the slipway where he was then transferred up to the waiting ambulance at 6:40pm.

The lifeboat then returned to Kyle and was refuelled and made ready for service by 7:20pm.

Speaking of the incident, one of the crew said: ‘Due to the location of the casualty it was decided the safest way to get him to the ambulance was for us to transport him, however it was a tricky spot to get the lifeboat into and out of, and was made all the trickier by the rapidly receding tide’.

Notes to editors:

• The main picture shows the Casualty being carried onto the lifeboat in the stretcher (please credit to Kyle RNLI)
• The second picture shows the Casualty on the lifeboat (please credit to Kyle RNLI)
• The third picture shows the Casualty being carried off the lifeboat to the waiting ambulance (please credit to Kyle RNLI)
• There is video footage of the incident available

RNLI media contacts:

Andrew MacDonald, Kyle of Lochalsh RNLI Volunteer Press Officer on 07748 707606 or [email protected]

Or Richard Smith, Public Relations Manager Scotland on 01738 642956, 07786 668903 or [email protected]

Or Henry Weaver, RNLI Press Officer for Scotland, 01738 642946, 07771 943026, [email protected]

Or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.

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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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