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Joint rescue agency operation to assist injured beachgoer

Lifeboats News Release

Volunteer lifeboat crew from Little and Broad Haven RNLI were recently called to assist HM Coastguard with the casualty care of a person with a serious leg injury at Newgale Beach.

RNLI/Denys Bassett-Jones

Little and Broad Haven Lifeboat launched on service.

On Monday 12 August at 7.50pm, the Coastguard Rescue Team from Broad Haven were paged to reports of a person sustaining an injury on Newgale Beach and requiring transport by stretcher over the pebble ridge to the car park. Although the injury wasn’t classified as time critical the casualty was in a lot of discomfort, so the decision was made to request Little and Broad Haven lifeboat to attend, to be able to administer pain relief and assist the casualty into a vehicle for transfer to Withybush Hospital.

RNLI Helm Matthew Ford said:

‘The volunteer lifeboat crew were paged at 9.15pm, as we carry specialist pain relief in our casualty care kit onboard the lifeboat and the Coastguard Rescue Officers on scene recognised that the person would be unable to make it to hospital without it.

'This was another example of local Coastguard and lifeboat teams working closely together and having a good understanding of the specialist equipment and training each other use as part of their rescue operations.'

Little and Broad Haven Lifeboat Press Officer, Denys Bassett-Jones said:

‘When the casualty was injured the family immediately did the correct thing and dialled 999 asking for the Coastguard. Our crew and the Coastgurad team received some lovely feedback from the family of the casualty after the shout, thanking them for how quickly and efficiently they responded and complimented them for the standard of care and the dedication shown by all the volunteers involved’.

Once both teams were satisfied the casualty was able to be transferred to the next level of care, they were stood down and returned to their respective stations.

RNLI/Denys Bassett-Jones

Broad Haven Coastguard Rescue Vehicle at Newgale Beach

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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