
Wick RNLI lifeboat called to cliff fall
Wick RNLI lifeboat Roy Barker II was launched at 12.54pm to assist in a multi-agency rescue to recover a casualty that had fallen approximately 30 feet at the steps at Whaligoe, south of Wick.
Upon arrival the Wick RNLI XP boat was launched and made its way the bottom of the cliff. After communications with the Scottish Ambulance Service and HM Coastguard, a decision was made to do a lifeboat rescue rather than trying to take the casualty back up the cliff/steps.
The casualty was thought to have suffered a possible broken ankle and possibly a broken pelvis.
A paramedic was also transferred to the lifeboat to look after the casualty on their return to Wick where they were transferred back into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service.
A spokesperson for Wick RNLI says: ‘We would encourage anyone walking along our coastlines to be wary of all edges around the sea and waterside. Slips and falls happen in all locations, it is not just high cliff edges that are a risk.
’We would encourage you to always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back. As the nights become darker, we’d also like to remind people to take care when walking in dark and slippery conditions.
‘If you see someone in difficulty on a sea cliff, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’
Notes to editors
· Wick RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 1848. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/wick-lifeboat-station
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Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789
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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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