The North East Ambulance Service were responding to a medical emergency on Holy Island, involving an ill elderly male. The Holy Island Causeway was closed by the tide, and in accordance with the agreed protocol, the ambulance was re-directed to Seahouses Lifeboat Station.
The Lifeboat launched and conveyed a paramedic to Holy Island, where he was met by a member of the Holy Island Coastguard Rescue Team, who conveyed him to the Casualty’s location, so that their patient could be assessed and treated. Meanwhile the Lifeboat Crew stood by to assist if required. The Lifeboat was stood down and returned to station, as the causeway was re-opening and becoming accessible by a road ambulance.
High tide at Holy Island was at 6.04am, and the Causeway was closed by the tide until 10.05am.
Seahouses RNLI Volunteer Press Officer Ian Clayton commented, 'Again the RNLI were able to assist our colleagues from the North East Ambulance Service. There was some urgency to get medical assistance to the casualty, and we wish him well and hope the incident was not too traumatic for him.'
The RNLI have no further information about the casualty or their condition.
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.