Blackpool RNLI volunteers save young person during busy bank holiday

The busy bank holiday period for Blackpool’s RNLI volunteers started with two call outs on Thursday 27^th May and saw them respond to another nine incidents by Monday evening. The incidents included objects spotted in the water, people cut off by the tide and people in difficulty in the sea. Working alongside HM Coastguard volunteers, Blackpool Beach Patrol, Blackpool Police and the North West Ambulance Service, Blackpool’s RNLI volunteers were able to ensure all incidents had a positive outcome. However, one particular incident, that took place on Monday 31^st May, could have ended very differently had it not been for the timely intervention of Blackpool’s RNLI volunteers.

At 1pm on Monday 31^st May Blackpool’s RNLI volunteers were called out to reports of people cut off by the tide at Anchorsholme, both D class lifeboats launched and during the next two hours responded to multiple incidents of people cut off by the tide between Fleetwood and Blackpool.

As they were heading back to the lifeboat station the volunteer crewmembers of one of the charity’s D class lifeboats spotted a young person struggling in the water near The Comedy Carpet. The lifeboat immediately went to offer assistance and as they approached realised that the casualty was struggling to support another person in very serious difficulty. The volunteer crew of the lifeboat recovered the casualties from the water and provided emergency first aid treatment before returning to the lifeboat station and handing over to the ambulance service. Fortunately their rapid response stopped a serious situation from becoming a tragedy.

Blackpool RNLI volunteer helmsman, Simon Hoole, said ‘the bank holiday period has been really hectic for us but we’re always more than happy to respond to our pagers when people are in difficulty or spot something that gives them any cause for concern.’

Ian Butter, volunteer Deputy Launching Authority added, ‘I’m really proud of our dedicated team of volunteers at Blackpool lifeboat station. They’ve responded to their pagers day and night throughout the bank holiday weekend and have ensured visitors to the beach have made it home safely. With more good weather forecast over the next few days we would urge everyone to follow some simple steps to avoid beach dangers and have a safe and enjoyable day at the coast.

· Protect and keep an eye on your family

· Stay together and don't use inflatables

· In an emergency dial 999 for the Coastguard

For more advice and information about beach and sea safety visit rnli.org/safety/beach-safety’

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Esther Lowe Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, RNLI Blackpool telephone 01253 620424 or email [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.

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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.