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Hunstanton RNLI hovercraft launched to assist injured horse rider

Lifeboats News Release

A Norfolk lifeboat station launched its hovercraft to assist a horse rider who was injured after she fell from her mount on a beach.

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer was launched to assist the injured woman
Volunteers from Hunstanton RNLI were tasked to assist by HM Coastguard after reports a female rider had suffered injuries after falling on the beach at Holme-next-the-Sea.

Hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer launched at around 6.30pm on Sunday, 3 September and quickly made its way to the scene.

On arrival, the crew placed the woman on a stretcher, before flying her to a waiting ambulance which took her to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn.

Deputy Launch Authority Paul Stewart said: ‘The woman had fallen off her horse around half a mile down the beach.

‘We were asked to assist by the coastguard to help get her back off the beach to the ambulance, which was already there.’

The hovercraft returned to station shortly after 8pm, after which it was washed down, refuelled and readied for service.

Editor's notes

  • Since Hunstanton's current station opened in 1979, its inshore lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk and her predecessors have helped save 140 lives and render assistance to more than 600 people who found themselves in difficulty or in danger.
  • In 2003, she was joined by the hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer, which has since then been launched 250 times, saved 13 lives and assisted a further 150 people.
  • This week the RNLI launched its latest Launch a Memory lifeboat which will act as a relief vessel to stations across the British Isles. It proudly carries the names of 10,000 loved ones as part of the charity's latest fundraiser. More details can be seen here.

RNLI media contacts

For more information call Chris Bishop, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07584 147219 or Clare Hopps, Regional Media Officer on 07824 518641.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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.



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.

Learn more about the RNLI

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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