Redcar RNLI warn ''Don't Drink and Drown'' after incident at Redcar
The Redcar RNLI crew is repeating the message ''don't drink and drown'' after lifeboats and coastguards were called when a man worse the wear for drink entered the sea at Redcar.
The RNLI's inshore lifeboat was tasked and a UK Coastguard team, already dealing with an incident nearby, was sent.
The coastguard team arrived at the scene and was able to persuade the man, still carrying a glass of beer, to walk back out to the beach, where he was met by police officers.
Dave Cocks, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Redcar RNLI said: 'Because the coastguard patrol was already in the area, they arrived at the scene very quickly.
'They found the man, fully clothed and chest-deep in the surf. He was still holding a glass of beer.
'One of the team was able to persuade the man to wade back ashore. He was met by police officers and given suitable advice.'
The RNLI warns that around around 1 in 8 coastal deaths in the UK involve alcohol, and it is a contributing factor in many more water-related incidents.
Dave Cocks added: 'All too often we hear of people who drown despite never intending to enter the water. Slips, trips and falls are common and many alcohol-related accidents begin near, rather than in the water.
'Added to this, the North Sea is still very cold. A fine sunny day like we've had today can mislead people into thinking the sea will be warm as well. But at this time of year it will still only be eight or nine degrees, and cold water shock is a real risk.'
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Attached are library images of the Redcar Beacon and Redcar RNLI's inshore lifeboat.Credit RNLI/Redcar
- Redcar lifeboat station has been operating since 1802
- Redcar currently operates a B-class lifeboat named Leicester Challenge III, paid for by the people of Leicester, and an IB1-class lifeboat named Eileen May Loach-Thomas, paid from the legacy of the late Mr Nick Thomas of Shropshire
- For more news, information and images go to www.redcarlifeboat.org.uk. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/redcarrnli and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RedcarRNLI
- Any images used should be credited RNLI/Redcar unless indicated
RNLI media contacts:
For more information please contact Dave Cocks, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager on 07894 558 483. Alternatively, contact Clare Hopps, RNLI Press Officer, North 07824 518641 or at [email protected], or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789; [email protected]
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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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