Seahouses lifeboat transports ambulance crew to Holy Island emergency

This is a normal procedure, agreed by a protocol between the North East Ambulance Service, UK Coastguard and the RNLI, for situations when the causeway is closed by the tide.

The lifeboat was quickly launched with their crew doctor also on board. The ambulance crew arrived promptly and were taken aboard the lifeboat, which then made best speed to the island. On arrival, they were met by the local coastguard team, and escorted to the casualty’s location.

Safe Crossing times were until 09:00am and after 12:45pm. High tide at Holy Island was 10:51hr. Had the ambulance attempted to reach the Island by road, it may not have been safe to evacuate the patient safely if so required, due to the rising tide.

The casualty was treated by the doctor and paramedics, and did not require evacuation from the island. The Lifeboat then transported the ambulance crew back to Seahouses to collect their vehicle.

There are no photographs of this incident.

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