Swanage RNLI launch on Mayday to rescue person who fell from Old Harry Rocks
Just after 2pm on Saturday (1 May) both Swanage RNLI lifeboats were requested to assist a casualty who had fallen from Old Harry Rocks. HM Coastguard, South West Ambulance Service and Dorset and Somerset Ambulance had also been requested to attend.
Both lifeboats made best speed to the location. The inshore lifeboat arrived first on scene and put volunteer crew members ashore to assess the casualty. Some passing kayakers had also been alerted to the casualty and had paddled into the cove and were already administering first aid.
Swanage RNLI Helm, Becky Mack said: ‘The kayakers and a boat near to the scene were waving at us to indicate the casualty location. We immediately went ashore and carried out an assessment of the casualty and made plans to evacuate them. The casualty was really fortunate that the kayakers were close by and that they were able to help so quickly.’
'Our volunteer lifeboat crew worked with the kayakers to prepare the casualty to be evacuated from the shore to the all-weather lifeboat for onward transfer. The casualty was recovered to a waiting ambulance at Swanage Lifeboat Station within 40 minutes of the call out.
'We hope that the casualty will make a full recovery. This multi-agency rescue enabled the casualty to be quickly and safely recovered to land from a hard to access location. Many people are out exploring our beautiful coastline, and we urge everyone to stay a safe distance away from the cliff edges.'
Ends
Notes to Editors
- Photographs of crew arrival on scene and extraction of casualty from cove at Old Harry Rocks. (CREDIT RNLI).
- Casualty transfer to waiting ambulance (CREDIT LUCIE AGGAS)
For more information please telephone Becky Mack, Swanage RNLI Volunteer Press Officer on 07812 558487 or at lpo@swanagelifeboat.org.uk
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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.
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