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Training turns to tasking for Eastbourne RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

Eastbourne RNLI's volunteer crew were out on usual Sunday morning training when both boats were tasked to an urgent incident.

D Class lifeboat

RNLI/

Stock image Eastbourne RNLI
Reports came in of a dog that had gone over the edge of cliffs west of Eastbourne and a person had scrambled down after it. Both had become stuck and needed help.

Both boats made their way to the location, with the inshore lifeboat arriving on scene first. The casualty and dog were located on a ledge halfway down. Two crew were put ashore at the base of the cliffs where they established communication with the casualty, providing reassurance and instructions. Due to the precarious location, support from local Coastguard Rescue Teams was requested. Once on scene the teams set up for a rope rescue; they secured the dog in a rescue bag before taking the casualty back up the cliff to safety. Once the casualty was secure, the coastguard returned to recover the dog to the top.

Once both casualty and dog were at the top and safely with the Coastguard Rescue Teams, both lifeboat crews were stood down with thanks and made their way back to the stations before being made ready for the next tasking.

'We would like to remind people to take care when walking near cliffs, staying away from the edge and keeping dogs on leads. If a dog goes go over the edge stay calm, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.' an RNLI spokesperson said afterwards.

Media Contacts:

Daniel Baldock, Eastbourne RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer [email protected]

Paul Dunt, RNLI Regional Media Officer London London and South East (07785) 296252 [email protected]

RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.



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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