Thurso RNLI lifeboat locates elderly missing person
Thurso RNLI lifeboat The Taylors was launched on (Sunday 21 February) in response to a multi agency search for a missing local man.
The Taylors was launched at 12.15pm in response to the report of a missing person from the Scrabster area. The lifeboat and its Y boat inflatable commenced a search from Scrabster to Thurso Castle and back.
While scanning the shore line with binoculars a volunteer lifeboat crew member saw a slight movement half way down a grassy hill near to Scrabster beach. Another volunteer crew member with the recently obtained night vision heat seeking binoculars confirmed there was body heat present.
The inflatable Y boat with causality care trained crew members on board went to the location, beached the inflatable then climbed the hill and reached the casualty who was conscious but not able to move. The casualty who had fallen about 50 to 60 feet down the rough grassy slope was checked over and made comfortable until Coastguard personnel descended the hill with a stretcher.
The casualty was then taken up the hill by the Lifeboat and Coastguard team to a waiting Ambulance.
The Taylors returned to Scrabster to be completely cleaned as per Covid requirements and was available for service at 2.50 pm. Coxswain Gordon Munro said: 'We are always a bit apprehensive when attending the report of a missing person but on this occasion the whole crew are delighted with the outcome'.
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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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