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Man thanks Cromer RNLI and gives safety advice after rescue of him and his dog

Lifeboats News Release

A dog owner has thanked Cromer RNLI for their quick response when he needed rescuing after going into rough waves to help his dog out of the sea.

HM Coastguard received a report from the owner Curtis Johnson, 33, that his dog Rex had jumped off the sea wall along Cromer promenade at around 7am on Saturday morning. Mr Johnson then entered the water to attempt the rescue of his dog.

In the meantime Cromer inshore lifeboat was tasked by HM Coastguard and two Cromer RNLI volunteers immediately made their way to the promenade while Cromer RNLI’s D class inshore lifeboat prepared to launch. The two volunteers were able to throw the casualty a life ring and talk to him and keep him calm until the lifeboat arrived.

The casualty was out walking his dog while visiting Cromer. He was not familiar with the area and briefly let Rex of the lead. Rex then unexpectedly jumped over the sea wall and went into the water.

Curtis said: ‘I wasn't familiar with the area and while Rex has excellent recall he ran off and jumped so quickly. It was such a shock. I can only think he thought it was like one of our local beach walking spots where the sea wall and the sea are the same height.

‘I was really panicked and it was a passer by who told me to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard and not just jump straight in. I entered the water as safely as I could and got to Rex however it was clear it wasn't going to be easy to get out.'

The situation quickly turned into an emergency. Strong and powerful waves cut Curtis off off from the promenade steps, and as the tide quickly came in both dog and owner were being thrown around in the sea close to the sea wall.

The emergency was filmed by local angler Andy Siddall, who had also called the Coastguard on 999.

Reflecting after the ordeal, Curtis said: ‘I want to say a huge thank you to the volunteer lifeboat crew from Cromer RNLI - it was a super fast response and I know from talking to them after one of them was woken by the pager going off. Members of the public also helped along with the Coastguards and I am also grateful to everyone.'

Following the shock of the incident Curtis is keen to share safety advice.

He added: 'I urge people to not let their dogs off leads when near water, regardless of their recall. I also want to remind everyone that you call 999 to get in touch with the Coastguard, as many people, including myself, do not know that.

'Rex and I are ok but very shaken by our experience and I want my story to help others to make the right choices and stay safe at the Coast’.

Paul Watling, Cromer RNLI Coxswain/mechanic who was one of the first on scene said: ‘ This was a challenging rescue due to the location of the casualty and the dog. Together with another volunteer we immediately went to the sea wall, located the casualty and threw him a lifering while keeping him calm while the lifeboat launched. Thankfully both the casualty and his dog were rescued but this could easily have ended differently.

‘We strongly urge people not to enter the water to attempt a rescue when a dog enters the sea. The animal will usually return safely on its own. On these occasions the best advice is to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’

Cromer RNLI Helm, Kevin Johnson said: ‘Given the high tide, and a lively sea state plus the large rocks in the water as part of the current sea defence work we had to carefully work as a team to effect a safe rescue.

'The casualty and his dog were cold and tired and being pushed against the sea wall. Thankfully despite the conditions, and the casualty’s location we were able to manoeuvre the D class inshore lifeboat into position and get the casualty and his dog safely onto the lifeboat and then back to the station’.

For more information please contact Clare Stagg, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected] or Beth Robson, Regional Communications Manager: [email protected] or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or [email protected]

Key facts about Cromer RNLI

The Cromer Lifeboat Station was established in 1804 and was not taken over by the Institution from the Norfolk Shipwreck Association until 1857. Since 1923 there have been two lifeboats at Cromer, and currently there is a D Class inshore boat and Tamar all-weather lifeboat. The outstanding figure in the history of Cromer is Henry George Blogg who became a member of the Cromer crew in 1894 at the age of 18. He was coxswain from 1909-1947. During his 53 years as a lifeboat crew member, the Cromer lifeboats had been on service 387 times and rescued 873 lives. His record is without equal in the history of the Institution. No lifeboat crew member has received so many decorations for gallantry.

Andy Siddall

Curtis Johnson went into the sea after his dog at Cromer but he didn't realise the dangers and that he himself would need rescuing by the RNLI.

Curtis Johnson

Curtis Johnson with Rex

Curtis Johnson

Rex was not familiar with the Cromer seafront

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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