Berwick-upon-Tweed RNLI launches to rescue dog and assist in river search

The volunteer crew, Helm Michael Percy, Navigator Christie Avril, crew Faye Bell, assembled and launched immediately and were quickly on scene, locating both the person and the dog on the shoreline near the Tweed Dock entrance. While two people were assisted by Berwick-upon-Tweed H M Coastguard and Fire and Rescue Service, the RNLI crew safely recovered the dog aboard the lifeboat before returning it to the waiting H M Coastguard officers and its relieved owner at Berwick Dock. Both the owner and the dog were found to be safe and well.

Shortly afterwards, the D class lifeboat was re-tasked to conduct a wider search of the River Tweed following concerns that a potential missing person, who had reportedly been seen at the water’s edge attempting to help, had not been seen leaving the area. Initial fears were that they may have entered the river.

A comprehensive search was carried out involving the launch of Berwick-upon-Tweed RNLI’s Atlantic 85 B class lifeboat, HM Coastguard rescue teams, Police Scotland, Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service, including the Swift Water Rescue Team, and other emergency service partners from over the border.

Following a thorough search of the area, it was established that the person was located safe and well, allowing the incident to be safely concluded by Atlantic 85 lifeboat crew, Helmsman Hayden Kiff, Navigator Ken Surtees, Crew John Campbell.

Conditions at the scene were a light westerly breeze with cloudy skies and showers, together with a flooding tide on the River Tweed.

Helmsman Michael Percy for Berwick-upon-Tweed RNLI said: ‘Dogs are part of the family, and our greatest concern in incidents like these is that people may be tempted to put themselves at risk trying to rescue them. On this occasion, the member of the public did exactly the right thing by calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard.

'Our volunteer crew launched immediately and arrived on scene within minutes alongside our emergency service colleagues. Thankfully, no one entered the water, the dog was recovered safely without incident, and everyone involved was found to be safe and well.

'This was an excellent multi-agency response, and we’d like to thank all of the emergency services involved for their teamwork and professionalism, which helped ensure a successful outcome.’

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Hazel Bettison, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI North and East, [email protected]

Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for North East and East England, 07824 518641, [email protected]

Richard Grange, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for North East and East England, 07483 112015, [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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