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RNLI Sennen Cove Lifeboats help in multi agency rescue to cliff faller

Lifeboats News Release

On Monday 19 July at 2.39pm, Sennen Cove Lifeboat Station received a request for assistance from HM Coastguard Falmouth, following reports of a lady falling on the cliffs at the eastern end of Green Bay, near Porthcurno.

Coxswain's view from the ALB

RNLI/Dan Shannon

Sennen Cove all-weather lifeboat on scene at Green Bay

Both lifeboats, the D class inshore lifeboat Amy Brown (ILB) with three RNLI volunteer crew on board, helmed by Kirstan Gorvin, and the all weather Tamar class lifeboat City of London III (ALB) with six crew on board, skippered by Second Coxswain, Dan Shannon, launched and made best speed to Green Bay. Porthcurno RNLI Lifeguards, Lands End Coastguard cliff rescue team, the Coastguard rescue helicopter and Cornwall and Devon Ambulance service were also tasked.

On arrival, two Inshore lifeboat crew went ashore to assist two lifeguards already on scene to assess the casualty. Two all-weather lifeboat crew were also place ashore to help.

As radio reception in this area are very difficult the all-weather lifeboat acted as a relay for all radio communications with Falmouth Coastguard.

It transpired that a young lady had fallen around 15 feet, and sustained multiple injuries. Luckily an off duty paramedic and trauma surgeon, who happened to be close by also came to the casualties aid.

After assessing the lady it was deemed safe for her to be transferred by the inshore lifeboat to Porthcurno beach where the Paramedics from the Coastguard helicopter and Cornwall and Devon ambulance service gave further assessments resulting in the casualty being taken to hospital by land ambulance.

Both lifeboats were stood down to return to station. Arriving around 4.40pm they were both recovered washed down and made ready for service.

Second Coxswain Dan Shannon said that all crews worked well together to give the casualty the help needed.

Ends

Notes to editors

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Brian Simpson, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 01736 871631, or 07762 057127 or [email protected], or Tim Stevens, Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07971518403 or [email protected] or Emma Haines, Regional Media Officer on 07786 668847 or [email protected], or Amy Caldwell, Regional Media Manager on 07920818807 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789

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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 over 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 142,200 lives.


Sennen Cove ILB approaching Porthcurno beach taken from ALB

RNLI/Rich Castle

Sennen Cove ILB approaching Porthcurno beach
Sennen Cove ILB and lifeguard approaching Porthcurno beach

RNLI/Rich Castle

Sennen Cove ILB and lifeguard approaching Porthcurno beach

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 142,700 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.