RNLI Hoylake Hovercraft tasked to a pedestrian casualty off Leasowe, Merseyside
On the morning of 20 May volunteers from RNLI Hoylake Hovercraft Crew were tasked by the UK Coastguard to a casualty who had entered the water approximately ¾ mile offshore.
Hoylake’s Hovercraft was launched at 08:27am and arrived on the scene shortly afterwards, where the casualty had been escorted from the water by Merseyside Police with the support from the Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team.
The casualty, who was suffering the effects of the cold, and two police officers were brought on board the Hovercraft and taken ashore to meet awaiting Coastguard and North West Ambulance Services officers. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service were also in attendance.
After a preliminary health assessment the casualty was taken to Arrowe Park Hospital for further checks.
Hovercraft Crew Commander, Nick Lester, said ‘We are pleased to have been able to assist in this multi-agency rescue. It’s always great to work together with other rescue agencies; pooling all our skills and resources to achieve the best possible outcome for the casualty.”
There are just four RNLI inshore rescue Hovercrafts in operation across the UK. They can reach areas inaccessible to conventional lifeboats, often operating where the water is too shallow for boats and therefore extending the RNLI’s lifesaving capability around the coast.
Volunteers of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution are on standby 24 hours a day ready to fulfil their duty in search and rescue operations.
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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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