Mudeford RNLI tasked twice on Saturday
Mudeford RNLI were called out twice by HM Coastguard on Saturday (17 July 2021) to assist three casualties in locations hard to reach by paramedics on land.
The first shout was to assist an elderly lady at the end of Stanpit Marsh and the second to assist two male casualties trapped and injured on the Long Groyne at Hengistbury Head.
At 1.35pm HM Coastguard tasked Mudeford RNLI to assist an elderly lady suffering cardiac symptoms at the end of Stanpit Marsh. South Western Ambulance Service and Southbourne and Lymington Coastguard Rescue teams were also tasked to assist.
Mudeford RNLI Atlantic 85 lifeboat Mudeford Servant launched with four volunteer crew aboard and were the first to arrive on scene. Two casualty care trained crew members were put ashore to assess the situation.
The end of Stanpit Marsh is a 30 min walk from the car park and would have been a challenge for paramedics carrying medical equipment. The Mudeford RNLI helm’s assessment was that it was safe to move the lady. The ambulance and coastguard rescue teams were redirected to Hengistbury Head Outdoor Education Centre, the casualty was taken aboard the RNLI lifeboat, transported across the Quay and delivered safely to the awaiting ambulance and rescue teams.
HM Coastguard tasked Mudeford RNLI again at 7.46pm to assist an unconscious male on a rock groyne at Hengistbury Head. Mudeford RNLI launched towards Hengistbury Head and proceeded to Long Groyne where they saw a male casualty lying on the groyne.
Two casualty care trained crew members were put ashore on the Long Groyne to assess the situation with other emergency services present – South Western Ambulance Service, UK Coastguard helicopter, Poole and Southbourne Coastguard rescue teams. Whilst attempting to assess the situation, a second male with chest pains approached the rescue teams following an accident on the rocks.
The HM Coastguard helicopter landed at Hengistbury Head and the paramedic walked down the cliff to the casualties. On assessing the situation, it was decided that is was not possible to carry a stretcher across the rocks and due to the lack of wind that day the helicopter down draft would be too great to winch the casualties.
The Mudeford RNLI lifeboat Mudeford Servant left the groyne and returned to a safe distance out to sea, where the Coastguard Helicopter winched down the stretcher and medical equipment.
RNLI Mudeford returned to the groyne, the first casualty was put on the stretcher and brought onto the lifeboat. The Mudeford RNLI Volunteer crew then returned to Mudeford Quay where an ambulance was awaiting the casualty.
Whilst at Mudeford Quay, a further radio message was received that the second casualty was deteriorating. Mudeford RNLI proceeded back to the Long Groyne at best speed and recovered the second casualty who was accompanied on the lifeboat by the helicopter paramedic. The second casualty was then taken to Mudeford Quay to a second awaiting ambulance.
RNLI lifeboats launched to 366 walkers and runners in the UK and Ireland in 2020. Further RNLI Safety advice is available here https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/coastal-walking
Always carry a means of calling for help when undertaking activities near the sea. Call 999and ask for the Coastguard.
Media Contacts:
Claire Hellier, Mudeford Lifeboat Press Officer (07795) 496660 [email protected]
Paul Dunt, RNLI Regional Media Officer SE and London (07939) 228052 [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, X, TikTok 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.