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Poole RNLI volunteers save person found in water during night time rescue

Lifeboats News Release

Poole lifeboat was launched by HM Coastguard at 10.50pm (Tuesday 9 May) to a report of a person in the water.

RNLI/Poole

Poole volunteers tending to the casualty on return to Poole Lifeboat Station
A Mayday relay was broadcast over the radio, with an immediate request to launch, as a person was heard crying for help in the vicinity of Lake yard in Poole Harbour.

Two members of the public who were walking their dog heard the cries for help and raised the alarm, the initial report was that there was a person in the water clinging onto a kayak.

The Lifeboat volunteers were immediately away and swiftly on scene, initially looking for a kayak, the members of the public who were close by behind a wave breaker fence near to the marina had switched their phone torches on to guide the lifeboat crew to the casualty, who they could see. It was dark in the harbour, cloudy, with cold drizzle, and a north westerly breeze 2 to 3.

The lifeboat crew found the casualty, who had been crying for help, clinging on to a breakwater, there was no sign of a kayak.

The lifeboat crew scooped the casualty onboard and began casualty care, warming him up, he was extremely cold.

The lifeboat urgently returned to station, requesting an ambulance to attend.

Poole Coastguard Rescue Team were also on scene and the Condor Liberation had also responded to the Mayday call.

On arrival at the station, other volunteers were on hand with blankets and the crew continued with casualty care, administering oxygen, and warming the casualty up.

The ambulance arrived on scene and the casualty was passed into the care of the paramedics. The crew with the help of Poole CRT transferred the casualty into the ambulance, where he was taken to hospital.

The lifeboat was made ready for service by 12.30am.

Volunteer Helm Alex Evans said:
‘The casualty was extremely lucky tonight, that the people passing heard his cries and alerted the coastguard, we are very grateful to them for standing by and guiding us in, the casualty was extremely cold, and they saved his life.'

This was the 38th launch this year.

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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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.

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