RNLI Withernsea lifeguards perform essential first-aid
On Tuesday 17 August, the Withernsea lifeguards teamed up with UK Coastguard to assist an elderly woman with a suspected broken hip.
At around 10:25am, the RNLI Withernsea lifeguard team responded to reports of an injured 71-year-old lady further up the beach. The lady was taking photos near the water's edge when she tripped and fell onto some rocks. She was unable to move as the tide continued to come in.
One of the charity’s lifeguards, Ellie Hughes, was alerted of the event when a member of the public ran to the lifeguard unit. Ellie immediately attended to the casualty, where she carried out a series of medical checks. After concluding that the woman was suffering from severe hip pain, Ellie radioed her fellow lifeguard Daisy Evans, who called for an ambulance.
Immediately, the lifeguarding duo called the Coastguard to help move the casualty further up the beach as the tide was rapidly approaching. In the meantime, Daisy brought the medical kit and spinal board. An off-duty lifeboat crew member, who was nearby, assisted the team with moving the lady onto the board and out of the water.
Soon after, the Coastguard arrived to assist RNLI Withernsea with medical care. Ellie remained with the casualty to ensure she was safe and stable until the ambulance arrived. Despite her injury, the woman appeared in a stable condition.
Lead Lifeguard Supervisor Andrew Hogg praised his team’s medical expertise: ‘Our lifeguards have excellent skills in casualty care. They can provide lifesaving treatment, which is essential whilst waiting for an ambulance.
'If you plan to visit a beach this summer, please choose an RNLI lifeguarded beach, where one of our lifeguards will be around to help should you come into any trouble.’
For more information please visit: https://rnli.org/safety/beach-safety
Notes to editors
RNLI Withernsea lifeguard service has been operating since 2001. To learn more about the lifeguarded beach go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches/withernsea-beach
Lead Lifeguard Supervisor Andrew Hogg is available for interview.
RNLI/Derry Salter
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Derry Salter, RNLI Media Engagement Placement on: 07929 673281 or email: [email protected]
Or, the RNLI Press Office available 24/7 on 01202 336789 [email protected]
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.