West Kirby Lifeboat respond to 'man overboard' incident
West Kirby RNLI inshore lifeboat’s assistance was requested at approximately 1:15pm following a report that a male had received a blow to his head prior to the start of a long distance race on the River Dee.
The volunteer crew launched the inshore lifeboat and collected the casualty from a rigid inflatable boat that he had been transferred to. The individual had been hit by the boom of his sailing vessel and knocked overboard following its launch. The casualty's inflatable life jacket had been activated and it was deemed necessary that emergency support should be sought.
The charity's lifeboat recovered the casualty and took him to shore where the volunteer crew carried out a medical assessment. They provided first aid treatment and arranged for the casualty to be transferred to hospital for further treatment.
Dave Henshaw, RNLI Launching Authority for West Kirby’s RNLI Lifeboat, says: 'The individual was appropriately equipped and this incident demonstrates that even the most experienced of sailors can have accidents. Always seek support as soon as possible particularly where head injuries are concerned.'
Notes to editors
- West Kirby Sea lifeboat station has been operating since 1966. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk.
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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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