The lifeboat was requested by UK Coastguard to attend to a casualty, who had fallen from a pathway north of Rockley bridge, down about 10ft onto a beach area in the backwaters of Poole.
The casualty had sustained injuries and was in some discomfort. Southbourne Coastguard and Poole Coastguard Rescue Team were both on scene, however they could not extract the casualty due to the location, so they had requested for the lifeboat to attend.
The crew had to make their way through some challenging mud to reach the casualty, conditions were fine and calm. When the crew arrived on scene, they checked that the casualty was okay, she was in some considerable pain. The lifeboat volunteers endeavoured to make her more comfortable. They placed her in a neck collar and carefully placed her into a basket stretcher.
Then with help from coastguards, the casualty was transferred carefully through thick mud, the crew waded for about 80m until the water was deep enough for the engine on the D class to start.
The lifeboat took the casualty to South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust who were standing by at Rockley slipway, The casualty was transferred into the care of the ambulance team.
The lifeboat returned to station for a thorough deep clean to get rid of the mud.
The lifeboat was ready for service by 3pm.
Poole Lifeboat volunteer Helm Dave Riley said:
‘The casualty we assisted today, thankfully had a mobile phone with her and was able to call for help. Today also demonstrated some great cross-agency collaboration between Poole Lifeboat crew and Poole Coastguard Rescue Team / Southbourne Coastguard rescue teams, we all wish the casualty a speedy recovery.'
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.
