Silloth RNLI lifeboat in dramatic rescue of non-swimmer trapped on vehicle roof
Silloth RNLI volunteers rescued a woman who could not swim from the roof of her car after the vehicle was sumberged by the incoming tide.
The lifeboat, as well as Maryport Inshore Rescue, Maryport Coastguard Search and Rescue Team and Cumbria Police were alerted to the incident by the UK Coastguard at 10.41am on Saturday (3 February).
Reports were of a women stranded in a submerged vehicle on the beach between Beckfoot and Mawbray.
Silloth RNLI lifeboat crew launched their Atlantic 85 class lifeboat Elaine and Don Wilkinson at 10.46am and made their way at best speed to the scene.
Upon arrival, the crew could see the casualty had climbed on top of a vehicle, with the sea water already higher than the level of the roof.
They quickly established a safe route around the car in order to rescue the casualty. As the lifeboat could not get close enough to the car to pick the woman up and she could not swim, one lifeboat crew member entered the water to reposition the casualty in order for the lifeboat to recover her.
Silloth RNLI shore crew who were on scene at the beach requested North West Ambulance Service backup through the UK Coastguard. The casualty was brought on board the lifeboat and was treated for mild hypothermia by the charity's volunteer crew. Fortunately she had no other injuries. She was returned to Silloth RNLI lifeboat station to await a pending ambulance paramedic, who checked her over and gave her the all clear.
Silloth RNLI Senior Helm Steve Henderson said: 'The lady was very lucky, especially with the fast incoming tide. If it had been a few later we could have been looking at a different outcome.
'The UK and Ireland have some of the biggest tidal ranges in the world and getting cut off by the tide contributes to a significant number of RNLI rescues every year.
'Our advice to anyone heading to the coast to walk or for another activity is to avoid getting cut off by the tide by checking the tide times before you go and planning your trip accordingly. While you're out always be aware of your surroundings, look for safety signage or information and notice the tide’s direction. Let people know when and where you are going and when to expect you back and always carry a means of calling for help should you get into trouble
'You can find out more information about tides in your area through tide tables, apps, weather news or local websites. You can also get local tidal information from local Harbour Masters, tourist information centres and some seaside retail outlets and you can also find tide tables and surf reports for the UK and Ireland at magicseaweed.com.'
Notes to editors:
The attached video shows the rescue by Silloth RNLI. Credit RNLI/Silloth
The attached picture is a screen grab from the video showing the casualty on the roof of the submerged vehicle before she is rescued. Credit RNLI/Silloth.
For more information please contact Chris Cousens, RNLI Regional Media Officer, Wales and north west England, on 07748 265496 or [email protected]
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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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