Dunbar RNLI issues tombstoning warning after boy, 14, hurt in harbour

The 14-year-old boy injured his leg after plunging into the water at around 6.30pm. The volunteer crew were about to launch on a training exercise when the alarm was raised.

They launched the inshore D class lifeboat David Lauder and quickly found the boy, who had managed to get himself out of the water, on steps near the harbour entrance.

The volunteer crew assisted paramedics by helping the boy onto the lifeboat and brought him ashore where he was transferred to the waiting ambulance.

Dunbar RNLI lifeboat helm Laura Kirkham said: ‘Tombstoning, or cliff jumping, into the harbour might seem like fun but there’s always a danger of hidden rocks and unknown depths that can result in serious life-changing injuries and even death. As tempting as it is to cool off in hot weather, we’re urging people to think before they jump.

‘The bystanders did the right thing in flagging us down for assistance while waiting for the Scottish Ambulance Service.’

The incident was the second in 24 hours for the Dunbar lifeboat crew and the first for recently passed-out helm Laura. On Wednesday (12 August) the volunteers were paged by HM Coastguard after a report someone was in distress in the harbour. After launching and finding nothing untoward the crew were stood down.

Laura added: ‘The few seconds of thrill that come from tombstoning can lead to consequences that last a lifetime, not only for the individual involved but also for their family, friends and those who witness or respond to the incident.’

After handing the casualty over to medics, the volunteer crew returned to their training exercise. Upon competition of the exercise the lifeboat was refuelled and readied for its next emergency.

Notes to editors

With photos

· Established in 1808, 16 years before the formation of the RNLI, Dunbar Lifeboat Station is one of the oldest in Scotland and is located on the south side of the mouth of the Firth of Forth.

· Since its formation, its volunteer crews have been honoured with 12 awards for gallantry.

· It operates two lifeboats – the Trent class all-weather lifeboat (ALB) John Neville Taylor, moored at Torness Power Station, and the D-class inshore lifeboat (ILB) David Lauder, which launches from Dunbar Harbour.

· A file photo of Dunbar’s lifeboats can be viewed here.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Alexander Williams, Dunbar RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer [email protected]

Douglas Wight, Dunbar RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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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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