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Gravesend RNLI responds to suspected stroke casualty on River Thames

Lifeboats News Release

London Coastguard requested the launch of the Atlantic 85 Lifeboat on Wednesday 18 December at 2:23pm to an ill workman onboard a vessel close to Jenningtree Point, Belvedere.

Gravesend RNLI's lifeboat heading inbound on River Thames near Dartford Crossing

RNLI/Gravesend

Gravesend RNLI's lifeboat heading inbound on River Thames near Dartford Crossing

Following the requested launch a briefing was held by the crew of four including Sid Blake, Karla Thresher, Mel Titmus and James Curtis, who launched a few moments later.

Duty RNLI Thames Commander Sid said, ‘With reports of the casualty having potentially had a stroke, it was clear we had to make our way to the scene as quickly and as safely as possible.’

Volunteer crew member Mel added, ‘Once we arrived on scene myself and another crew member boarded the work boat, after an initial assessment of the casualty’s condition, all signs and symptoms seemed to confirm that they were suffering from a stroke, we monitored and provided casualty care before handing over to the Ambulance Service.’

With the casualty safely extracted near Rainham, the lifeboat was stood down by London Coastguard at 4pm and returned to the boat house, refuelled and ready for service by 4:43pm.

This was Gravesend RNLI’s 125th launch this year, making it its joint highest ever requested launches in one year since 2009.

Notes to Editor

Gravesend is one of the RNLI’s newest lifeboat stations and one of four lifeboat stations operating on the River Thames – the first stations to specifically cover a river rather than estuarial waters or the sea.

Our lifeboat is Olive Laura Deare II, an Atlantic 85 B class inshore lifeboat, which is one of the fastest types in the fleet.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact:

· Ashley Bard, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on Ashley_Bard@rnli.org.uk

· Hatti Mellor, Regional Communications Manager Hatti_Mellor@rnli.org.uk

· RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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

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