Newbiggin RNLI Lifeboat Volunteers dash to save two open water swimmers.

The RNLI volunteers from Newbiggin lifeboat station were about to launch for training when an urgent call came in. A retired Newbiggin volunteer helmsman Ian Davison was on the beach at Cambois and had seen the swimmers plight relaying a call back to Newbiggin RNLI.

With Newbiggin’s Atlantic 85 B class lifeboat ‘Richard Wake Burdon’ about to put to sea, the crew of four volunteers were underway promptly heading at full speed to Cambois arriving minutes later. Thankfully the casualties were out of the sea but two of the first aid trained volunteers brought lifesaving equipment ashore including oxygen and attended to the two on the beach assisted by other swimmers from the swimming group. Earlier, the first casualty swimmer had been pulled out of the sea by another swimming group member but both now needed urgent treatment on the beach.

As care and treatment continued on the beach other rescue units arrived including Coastguard rescue teams from Newbiggin and Blyth and two ambulances from the North East Ambulance Service. The casualties were extracted by stretcher from the beach by the rescue personnel and up the path to the waiting ambulance units.

The two casualties were then taken to the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital at Cramlington for treatment.

Richard Martin, Water Safety volunteer at Newbiggin RNLI commented 'Newbiggin’s Atlantic class lifeboat was launched in surf conditions to two swimmers in difficulty at Cambois Bay. The lifeboat Helm used his experience to pick the moment to get into the surf and safely drop off the lifeboat casualty care team for their swim ashore in the surf whilst the lifeboat retreated back into deeper water. The volunteer casualty carers were able to use their recent first aid training to assist the two swimmers on the beach before been taken to hospital.

Thank you to Ian Davison and the group of swimmers for their assistance with the casualties by raising the alarm by calling the Coastguard as well as the responding teams from the Coastguard and Ambulance.

Always raise your hand and shout for help. If you see someone who you think might be in trouble, don't delay, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard’.

Notes to editors

Newbiggin RNLI is based at Sandridge, Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland. The station was established in 1851 and currently operates an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Richard Wake Burdon.

RNLI Media contacts

For more information please telephone Richard Martin, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Newbiggin on 07980 010544 or [email protected], Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, North and East on 07824 518641 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

If you would like to find out more about Newbiggin lifeboat station, its volunteers and its heritage then please look at the local website.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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