Bangor RNLI rescues cyclist after fall from coastal path on to rocks
Early this afternoon (Saturday 7 July), a volunteer crew headed to the shore in front of Royal Belfast Golf Club, to assist in the rescue of a young South African woman who had fallen to the rocks below.
Members of the Coastguard Rescue Teams from Bangor and Portaferry, and a paramedic from the Ambulance service, were already in attendance, but due to the inaccessibility of the site for vehicles, the lifeboat was requested to move the casualty to a place where she could be evacuated safely.
Arriving at the scene, due to the shallow waters, members of the crew jumped into the water to walk the boat closer to shore.
Members of the Coastguard Rescue Team then carried the stretcher with the woman out to the boat, where it was laid across the bow of the boat.
The lifeboat then made its way safely to the slipway at Royal North Yacht Club where the casualty was transferred to an ambulance and onward to hospital.
Bangor RNLI helmsman, James Gillespie, thanked his volunteer crew of Russel McKeague, Johnny Gedge and Ian Browne, and said “This was an excellent example of the RNLI, the Coastguard Rescue Team, and the Ambulance service working together, and we all wish this young woman a speedy recovery”.
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For further information, please contact Bangor RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer Mark Johnston on 07976 256655
Further information
Situated on the shores of Belfast Lough, on the north east coast of Northern Ireland, Bangor lifeboat station has provided search and rescue cover for the area for over 50 years. The station operates a B class Atlantic 85 lifeboat, the Jessie Hillyard.
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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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