North Berwick Lifeboat Crew assist in Multiple agency rescue of two persons

Police Scotland were first on scene and requested a multiple agency response as two persons had fallen down a cliff.

North Berwick inshore lifeboat Evelyn M with a volunteer crew of 4 persons, launched and was on scene within minutes. North Berwick Auxiliary Coastguard were the on scene command. Coordinating the RNLI, Fire and Rescue, Rescue Helicopter (Rescue 199), Emergency Medicine Advanced Trauma Team, Medic1, Scottish Ambulance service with Special operations response team (SORT), Police Scotland and North Berwick RNLI Lifeboat.

North Berwick Lifeboat assisted with the treatment of one casualty who had sustained minor injuries as a result of falling from the cliff. He was later taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in an Ambulance. The second casualty was in a much more serious condition with a head injury, he was treated at the bottom of the cliff by Coastguard and paramedics including their SORT team. He was evacuated by being winched into the helicopter. Prior to being flown to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary he was assessed by Medic 1 and accompanied during the journey by one of their staff.

Rhona Meikle (North Berwick Lifeboat Press Officer) said “This was a large multi agency rescue operation, this shows the close working relationship we have with each other, through training and practice. I would also like to repeat the advice given by North Berwick Coastguard Rescue Team that we would like to take the opportunity to remind everyone, we have a vast coastline, with many areas to explore which we encourage, however, the coastline can be unforgiving and dangerous, especially in the hours of darkness. Please ensure you are aware of your capabilities, have suitable equipment and a means of calling help.

Many of these agencies will be at North Berwick Lifeboat Fete on Anchor Green, North Berwick on Saturday 28 July at 1pm please come and visit us. The RNLI is run completely on fundraising and donations by the public.”

RNLI media contacts

Rhona Meikle, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer North Berwick RNLI, 01620890084, 07767251023, [email protected]

Gemma McDonald, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 01738 642956, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Henry Weaver, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 01738 642986, 07771 943026, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 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.