A Sea-King helicopter was called to Hilbre Island on Monday to assist in the rescue of a man in the sea off the island. RNLI crews from both Hoylake and West Kirby were also involved in the operation to rescue the man who had fallen off rocks and had suspected spinal injuries.
RNLI lifeguards, Norman and Mike Proctor quickly assessed the scene and supported the man in the water. Their casualty care checks ascertained that the man, in his thirties, was suffering from severe back pain. Fellow lifeguards Tom Corlett and George Welsh also assisted.
West Kirby lifeboat arrived at the scene and lifeboat medic Adrian Gregan was deployed into the surf and waded his way towards the casualty.
Hoylake RNLI’s lifeboat The Edmund Hawthorn Micklewood also attended the incident. She had been engaged in safety cover for the Three Queens event on the River Mersey.
The Edmund Hawthorn Micklewood had beached on the East Hoyle Sandbank and was in the process of being recovered onto her revolutionary launch and recovery vehicle when she was tasked to attend.
Hoylake RNLI placed a crewmember carrying oxygen onto West Kirby’s lifeboat for transfer over to the crew members treating the injured man.
West Kirby’s lifeboat medic Adrian Gregan then requested the assistance of the rescue helicopter owing to the casualty’s suspected spinal and internal injuries.
While the helicopter was on route from RAF Valley, the charity’s crewmembers and lifeguards managed to slip the casualty onto a stretcher and place him on a narrow ledge just above the waterline where they all remained until the arrival of the helicopter shortly afterwards. The man was then winched aboard the aircraft and taken to Aintree Hospital.
West Kirby Lifeboat Operations Manager Dave Henshaw stated: ‘I’m very proud of the RNLI crews and lifeguards and our partners HM Coastguard and RAF valley who were involved in yesterday’s excellently co-ordinated rescue.’
Hoylake RNLI crewman Ian Davies said after the incident: ‘We were able to get to the casualty much faster due to our new launch and recovery vehicle. It allows us to re-launch on lifesaving missions even if we have only just beached our boat. Our thorough training in casualty care was also a key part of this operation. The continuing generosity of the public in providing funds for our training and equipment is absolutely vital to our lifeboat team, both afloat and ashore.’
Pete Rooney, RNLI lifeguard Manager added: ‘The injured man received swift and effective treatment which is testament to the seamless teamwork demonstrated by everyone involved.’
Photo source: http://www.hilbrebirdobs.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/25th-may-2015.html?m=1
Leave a Reply