Flamborough RNLI rescues three people in difficulty at Thornwick Bay

Flamborough RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat B-959 Forever Yibba was launched at 3.45pm on Saturday 10 October following a report of three people in difficulty at Thornwick Bay.

HM Coastguard helicopter was also tasked to the incident, with the HM Coastguard Rescue Team on standby on the cliff tops.

The lifeboat arrived on scene at approximately 4pm to find two casualties clinging to the cliffs, pointing to a third casualty further out in the water.

The casualty in the water was recovered aboard the lifeboat. Conscious but having swallowed a significant amount of water and requiring urgent medical attention, he was winched from the lifeboat to the HM Coastguard helicopter and transferred to the cliff tops, where the Coastguard Rescue Team was waiting.

Owing to the overhanging cliffs, it was not possible to winch the remaining two casualties directly from the foot of the cliffs. The decision was therefore made to use the lifeboat to recover them from the rocks.

Both casualties were successfully taken aboard the lifeboat and brought clear of the cliffs, where they were winched to the helicopter.

Following the successful rescue, Flamborough RNLI lifeboat B-959 Forever Yibba and its volunteer crew were stood down and returned safely to South Landing at 5.30pm.

Helm Karl Price said: ‘This incident required close coordination between the lifeboat crew and the HM Coastguard helicopter team. The overhanging cliffs presented additional challenges, but the crew worked together well to ensure all three casualties were brought to safety. The teamwork between all the emergency services involved was vital to the successful outcome.’

Crew member Diane Johnson said:‘Every shout brings its own challenges, and we have to be ready to adapt to whatever the situation throws at us. Our main priority is always getting everyone to safety, so it was a real relief to see all three casualties safely rescued during this shout.’

One member of the volunteer crew added: ‘And this is why they do it. Not for the thanks, but knowing that one of the people rescued was well enough to send us a message just hours after we had rescued him and his friends. Knowing they were all safe and well meant a great deal to everyone involved.’

The lifeboat crew and shore crew subsequently worked together to clean and refuel the lifeboat and prepare the launching tractor, ensuring the station was ready for its next shout.

Flamborough RNLI would like to remind those visiting the coast to check tide times, be aware of changing sea conditions and take care near cliffs and rocks. Anyone who sees someone in difficulty in the water should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

John Bates, Deputy Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Flamborough RNLI, 07731 980793, [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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