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Montrose RNLI lifeboats launched to fisherman injured after being swept off rock

Lifeboats News Release

Montrose RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew assisted other emergency services in the evacuation of an injured fisherman in bitterly cold conditions this afternoon (Wednesday 20 November).

Montrose RNLI ILB volunteer crew head to the location of injured fisherman

RNLI Montrose

Montrose RNLI ILB volunteer crew head to the casualty location

The fisherman had been swept off rocks into the sea at Black Craig, near Usan. Although managing to climb back onto rocks, he had a suspected ankle injury and could not move from his location, which was at the bottom of a steep drop. A local man who had seen the incident raised the alarm.

Montrose RNLI all-weather lifeboat Ian Grant Smith and inshore lifeboat Nigel A Kennedy launched shortly after 2pm and reached the scene within 15 minutes. Despite the challenging conditions, the inshore D Class lifeboat was brought close enough to transfer two volunteer crew ashore.

Together with other emergency services, the volunteer lifeboat crew assisted carrying the stretchered casualty across difficult terrain to a waiting air ambulance, with the casualty then airlifted to hospital.

Scott Murray, Montrose RNLI Coxswain Mechanic, says: ‘The conditions out there today were challenging, and our crew members drew on all of their training to land crew safely ashore and for them to be able to assist with the casualty evacuation.

'The fisherman had suffered a nasty ankle injury and must have been very cold after having been in the sea. The person who saw the fisherman did the right thing in calling for help immediately. We wish the fisherman a speedy recovery. If anyone is in trouble at sea, then please call 999 and ask for HM Coastguard, who will then alert the necessary lifeboats.’

Both boats were stood down at 3.50pm, when the volunteer crew headed back to station and made both boats ready for the next emergency.

Notes to editors

· Montrose lifeboat station has been operating since 1800. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/montrose-lifeboat-station

· Montrose RNLI has launched 985 times and saved 560 lives since 1824.

RNLI media contacts

Mari McCrossan, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer (shared) for Montrose RNLI at [email protected]

Sally McKay, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer (shared) for Montrose RNLI at [email protected]

Natasha Rushby, Regional Communications Manager, on 07826 900639 or [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, Regional Communications Lead, on 07920 365929 or [email protected]

Tom McGuire, Regional Communications Manager for Scotland and Ireland, on [email protected]

RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Montrose RNLI ILB volunteer crew assist with evacuation of casualty to air ambulance.

RNLI Montrose

Montrose RNLI ILB volunteer crew assist with evacuation of casualty to air ambulance.

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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