Portrush RNLI launched to reports of a person on rocks
Portrush RNLI was requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard at 7.15pm yesterday evening (Tuesday 20 June) to reports of a person who had fallen onto rocks between Portrush and Portstewart.
The all-weather lifeboat was already out on exercise so was diverted to the scene and was able to arrive approximately 10 minutes after the pagers were activated.
Once on scene, the crew risk assessed the situation liaising with the PSNI and Coastguard in terms of a plan of action to assist the casualty. At this point the inshore lifeboat was requested to launch to assist.
The inshore lifeboat was launched at 7.19pm and arrived on scene within 15 minutes. Once on scene two inshore lifeboat crew went ashore and on assessing the situation. requested that two all-weather lifeboat crew also be brought ashore to assist with the evacuation of the casualty.
The volunteer crew were then able to assist the casualty into the care of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, HMCG and the waiting Air Ambulance, at the top of the cliff.
Perry Walton, Deputy Coxswain at Portrush RNLI said: ‘Because the crew were already out on an exercise, we were able to respond to the page from HM Coastguard very quickly. Added to the fact that weather conditions were good, we had good visibility and a fairly calm sea, we could locate the casualty immediately and help with the evacuation of the casualty to the cliff top.
'We would always ask people to be careful when walking along the cliff edges as its very easy to lose footing. If you see someone in difficulty, please ring 999 and ask for the Coastguard.'
Ends
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity 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 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.