Oban RNLI Lifeboat launches to injured walker on coastal path
Oban RNLI Lifeboat was requested to launch yesterday evening (Thursday 21 May) to assist an injured walker on a coastal path near Ganavan, Oban.
The volunteer crew of Oban RNLI Lifeboat ‘Mora Edith MacDonald’ launched on service at 6.50pm after reports that a walker had fallen and suffered injuries on a coastal path near the popular Oban beach, Ganavan.
Once on scene, the lifeboat launched their daughter craft, also known as an ‘xp boat’ to navigate the shallow water and two crew members proceeded to the scene to assess the situation ashore. The casualty was already in the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service, but given the nature of the coastal path and the rocky coastline, it was decided the best method of evacuation would be by lifeboat. With Oban’s Coastguard Rescue Team also on hand to assist, the emergency services worked together to transfer the casualty safely to the lifeboat using the xp boat.
Once the casualty had been transferred to the lifeboat, the lifeboat departed the scene making best speed back to Oban where the casualty was transferred on to a waiting ambulance by 7.55pm.
Ally Crexehe, Oban Lifeboat’s coxswain said “This could have been a very different situation had the weather conditions been worse. Luckily for us, the calm weather yesterday allowed us to land our daughter craft in a tricky location, safely evacuating the casualty.
With the wet and windy weather forecast for the bank holiday weekend ahead, we’d like to remind everyone to stay safe. While the Government restrictions remain the same in Scotland, we ask that you continue to follow them and take extra care when walking along coastal paths and rocky shorelines.”
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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