Redcar RNLI shore crew commended after saving casualty's life
Three volunteer shore crew from Redcar RNLI have been awarded a Medical Director Commendation for saving the life of a person in the water close to the Lifeboat Station at Redcar.
Tony Wild, Launch Authority, Steven Atkinson and Steven Fordham, both inshore lifeboat shore crew were part of a search team tasked with finding the casualty on Friday 12 January 2024.
At 9:12pm the Redcar D class lifeboat was requested to launch by HM Coastguard to reports of a person possibly in the water.
On arrival to station, in darkness and freezing temperatures, several personnel conducted an immediate search of the shore along Redcar seafront and located a casualty, unresponsive and not breathing in the water. Immediately casualty care commenced, and two personnel administered CPR. The casualty then restarted breathing before suffering an epileptic fit. Oxygen was administered and casualty care continued until the person was transferred to emergency services personnel.
The commendation from Aroop Mozumder, Medical Director at the RNLI stated in the commendation: ‘As a team you responded quickly, working cohesively in a professional manner to provide the very best casualty care. As a result of your collective actions one life was saved.
'Your determination and commitment to delivering excellent casualty care and saving lives at sea is recognised, and truly represents the values of the RNLI.'
Dave Scott, RNLI Area Lifesaving Manager, said: ‘It’s a rare privilege to recognise the unsung heroes in our shore crews. Thank you for everything you all do at Redcar for the RNLI and your community.'
Mike Picknett, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Redcar RNLI added: ‘This commendation recognises the commitment and training that all our volunteer crew at Redcar display every time we respond to a shout.’
Notes to Editors
Redcar lifeboat station has been operating since 1802
Redcar currently operates a B-class lifeboat named Leicester Challenge III, paid for by the people of Leicester, and an IB1-class lifeboat named Eileen May Loach-Thomas, paid from the legacy of the late Mr Nick Thomas of Shropshire
RNLI Media contacts
For more information, please contact Andy Watson, Lifeboat Press Officer, Redcar RNLI on 07954 435834 or 01642 484491 or email [email protected]
Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, North and East, 07824 518641
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 142,700 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.