Portrush RNLI launched to reports of an injured teenager near Ballintoy Harbour

Portrush RNLI was requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard this morning at 11.52 am to reports of an injured teenager near Ballintoy.

Both the Inshore and All-weather Lifeboats were requested to launch as the initial report stated that the 19-year-old female had dislocated her shoulder while out with a coasteering group and needed assistance to get out of the water.

Visibility was good, with a light breeze so both boats made good time and were on scene at 12.25pm

When the volunteer RNLI crew arrived on scene the casualty had been recovered onto the rocks and was being assisted by the Coastguard.

The crew delivered Entonox to the casualty for pain management after which she was carefully transferred onto the ILB, taken to Portballintrae Harbour and handed over to the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.

Beni McAllister Lifeboat Operations Manager at Portrush Lifeboat Station said:-

‘Our volunteer Lifeboat crew are trained in Casualty Care and have been able to maintain this training during lockdown as it is a key part of our operation. This was classic transfer for our ILB crew from rocks to the lifeboat working closely with our Coastguard colleagues. This was also Ben Durrant’s first shout after being successfully passed out as ILB helm recently, so well done to him and the other crew members’

‘We would also recommend as in this instance that people who are planning to go Coasteering that they do so with an official group, as they know how to manage incidents such as this and will call us immediately if required’.

Both crews arrived back on station at 1.55pm.

More information can be downloaded from www.rnli.org/safety

Ends

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.