Newbiggin plucks two anglers from sea
Two struggling anglers were pulled out of the sea into the safety of lifeboat after their vessel sank.
Newbiggin's Atlantic B class lifeboat 'Richard Wake Burdon' was quickly launched and minutes later was in the search zone. With failing light and nothing visual on the two casulaties the volunteer crew opted to switch off equipment and listen. Their training for such a scenario proved worthwhile as they heard a distant call for help in the rapid onset of darkness. The lifeboat headed to the sound and found the first person before visually locating the second person. The kayak they had been in had sunk.
After initial casualty care and safety checks carried out the lifeboat then returned to station and with assistance from Newbiggin and Blyth coastguards as well as the North East Ambulance Service and Police the two were checked over and transferred to the ambulance.
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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