Exmouth RNLI lifesavers rescue man trapped on sandbank

Following multiple 999 calls, at 8.44pm on Monday 9^th May 2022 the crew of Exmouth RNLI inshore lifeboat D-805 George Bearman II were tasked by H.M. Coastguard to attend reports of a man stranded on a sandbank on the River Exe.

The volunteer lifesavers, led by Inshore Lifeboat Helm, Henry Mock and crew James Searle and Sarah Pennicard, launched at 8.55pm, quickly sped to the scene and rapidly located the casualty. The were assisted by an H.M. Coastguard Rescue Team from Dawlish.

The casualty was helped on board the lifeboat and taken to the safety of shore where he was seen by the Coastguard Rescue Team. He was uninjured and did not require medical attention.

Other Exmouth RNLI volunteers who assisted were Deputy Launch Authority, Mike Gall, Head Launcher Mark Sansom, Tractor Driver Robert Thompson and shore crew Nick Wright and Jake Richards.

The lifeboat returned to Exmouth Lifeboat Station at 9.20pm and was back ready for service at 9.30pm.

Additional RNLI safety information for water users regarding tides can be found here : https://rnli.org/safety/know-the-risks/tides

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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 146,000 lives.

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