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RNLI lifeguards assist casualty in multi-agency response at Lyme Regis Beach

Lifeguards News Release

RNLI lifeguards aided a casualty and worked with other emergency services on a busy Monday afternoon (12 August) at Lyme Regis beach this week.

RNLI lifeguards on patrol at Lyme Regis beach were alerted to a casualty in distress with a suspected head and spinal injury, after they’d fallen from the north wall of the beach onto a rock groyne below.

One of the duty RNLI lifeguards along with a Beach Lifeguard Support Volunteer were first on scene and immediately ascertained they needed additional support from colleagues communicating with their Senior Lifeguard the severity of the situation. The Senior Lifeguard was then able to co-ordinate with both Solent Coastguard and the South Western Ambulance Service.

The lifeguards worked hard to stabilise the casualty using their Casualty Care training before paramedics arrived. The Senior Lifeguard was then able to co-ordinate with both Solent Coastguard and the South Western Ambulance Service in clearing an area of the beach to allow the Air Ambulance to land safely.

The lifeguards handed over to the critical care paramedics at 5.15pm and the casualty was taken to hospital.

Also that day the lifeguard teams dealt with a person who’d broken their elbow and a separate incident where somebody had a medical episode.

Alice Higgins, Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for West Dorset said:

‘I’d like to thank our lifeguards for their hard work and professionalism in a testing to situation to aid the casualty whilst maintaining the public’s safety on the beach.

‘Also a thank you to our fellow emergency service teams at the Coastguard, Air and Land ambulance crews and Lyme Regis Town Council to ensure the best possible outcome was reached.’

Notes to editors

  • Photo is taken of the lifeguards at the beach lifeguard unit at Lyme Regis. Credit RNLI

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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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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.

RNLI at 200

On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.

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.

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