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Seahouses RNLI attend medical emergency on Holy Island

Lifeboats News Release

At 11.38am on Tuesday 6 December 2022, HM Coastguard requested the launch of Seahouses all-weather lifeboat, following a request for assistance from the North East Ambulance service.

Seahouses Lifeboat returns to Seahouses with ambulance crew member

RNLI Seahouses/Susan Calvert

Seahouses Lifeboat returns to Seahouses with ambulance crew member
The RNLI volunteers were asked to transport an ambulance crew to Holy Island for an ill female. A nurse on the Island had advised the patient’s evacuation. The Causeway was closed by the tide. High water at Holy Island was at 1.35pm.

The lifeboat launched and took the ambulance crew on their arrival at Seahouses, to Holy Island. The RNLI have an agreed protocol with the North East Ambulance Service, for such situations.

With the paramedics aboard, the lifeboat made the best and safest speed to the Island, due to the sea conditions, which were quite rough with a strong gusting northerly wind.

On arrival at Holy Island at 12.28pm, the local Coastguard Rescue Team, met the lifeboat at the pier. They then transported the ambulance crew to the patient’s location. It was decided that after assessing the casualty, she should remain on the island, and be evacuated to hospital by road ambulance when the tide receded.

The paramedic remained with the casualty, while his colleague was returned to Seahouses to collect their vehicle and return to the Causeway and await the tide dropping. It was not in the casualty’s best interest, to transfer her in the current sea conditions.

Seahouses RNLI spokesman Ian Clayton said: 'This was probably the best option for this lady, as a passage back to Seahouses in these sea conditions, could have had a detrimental effect for her. We hope she makes a good recovery and were pleased we were able to offer her some assistance at a difficult time.'

RNLI Media contacts
For more information please contact Ian Clayton, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected]
Seahouses Lifeboat returns to Seahouses with ambulance crew member

RNLI Seahouses/Susan Calvert

Seahouses Lifeboat returns to Seahouses with ambulance crew member
Seahouses Lifeboat safely back at Seahouses with ambulance crew member

RNLI Seahouses/Susan Calvert

Seahouses Lifeboat safely back at Seahouses with ambulance crew member

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.

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