Mudeford RNLI volunteers respond to reports of a person in the water
Yesterday (Sunday 4 November) at 14:12, RNLI Mudeford were paged to respond to reports from the public of a person in the water clinging onto a small inflatable 500 metres off of Southbourne beach.
Hengistbury Head National Coastwatch Institution lookout had sight of the casualty and as the lifeboat approached the reported area, they helped to guide the lifeboat crew to him.
On arrival at the scene the lifeboat crew found a 70-year-old man in the water who was very cold and had ingested a lot of water whilst holding onto the capsized vessel.
The volunteer lifeboat crew immediately recovered the casualty from the water, and helped him into the RNLI Mudeford lifeboat.
The volunteers then administered casualty care on the way back to the lifeboat station.
Upon arrival at the lifeboat station the casualty was then transferred to an awaiting ambulance.
There is no doubt that the quick actions of the public in calling the Coastguard for assistance meant that this man's life was saved.
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.