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Training turns real for Dunbar RNLI volunteers

Lifeboats News Release

Lifeboat training turned into a real medical incident yesterday (Sunday 21 January) when Dunbar’s RNLI volunteers came to the aid of a runner who’d fallen and hurt her ankle during an organised event at Torness Power Station

RNLI Trent class lifeboat on mooring.

RNLI/Douglas Wight

Dunbar's all-weather lifeboat is moored at Torness Power Station, where the runner was hurt.

The lifeboat crew had just finished training and at 12.50pm had arrived back at Torness, where Dunbar’s Trent-class all-weather lifeboat is moored, when they were asked to assess the 31-year-old woman’s injury sustained during a Borders XC series five-mile run.


The volunteers assessed the woman’s injury and kept her and some fellow runners warm until an ambulance arrived.

Volunteer Jamie Forrester said: ‘Happily, we were able to reassure her that she hadn’t suffered a serious injury and helped her sit up and move to where she was more comfortable. It was good for us to be able to put our casualty care training into practice.’

Notes to editors

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.

RNLI media contacts

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

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Tom McGuire, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland and Ireland, 00353 87 476 4436, [email protected]

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

RNLI Press Office (available 24 hours) 01202 336789 [email protected]

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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.

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