Sheringham RNLI lifeboat and RNLI lifeguards involved in multi-agency operation

At 5.38pm the Sheringham lifeboat was tasked by Humber Coastguard to assist local Coastguards and RNLI lifeguards in their efforts to release a person trapped in a rock groyne on Sheringham east beach.

The casualty had been swimming with his children but when leaving the sea just after high water via the steps near the rock groyne he was knocked off the steps by a heavy swell as he helped the children up the steps.

The casualty fell off the steps and got his foot caught between the large rocks. His friends whilst protecting him from the waves called the charity's lifeguards who stayed in the water with the casualty whilst the Coastguards were called who then called the lifeboat and other emergency services to assist.

The lifeboat and most of the crew who were not on the lifeboat attended the scene to assist with the complicated rescue wearing the dry suits in the water to assist the casualty.

The emergency services comprising:- HMCG, RNLI, Police, Fire Service, Doctor, Ambulance and Paramedic were all involved in the successful rescue when the casualty was finally released.

This was a textbook demonstration of a successful Emergency Services collaboration.

RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor Ted Morgan said: ‘Our lifeguards did an incredible job assisting the man and helping to keep him calm. He was very lucky the tide was going out so there was no major risk to him drowning. We worked well with the lifeboat, fire brigade and coastguard to free the man and this kind of multi-agency rescue shows just how important these services are and we would like to thank them for their assistance.’

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For more information please contact Dick Grieve, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on: 07884 495155.

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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