Happisburgh RNLI volunteers called to Waxham to a person in the water

Russell Pickering the Station’s D class lifeboat was on the water within 11 minutes with Chris Risby on the helm, Pete Walker, Harry Ronald and Ellis Speirs as crew. They made best speed in choppy seas to the location; they were first on scene where they recovered the casualty from the water’s edge where they were was being helped by two passers-by.

The casualty was moved up the beach, given casualty care and wrapped up to keep warm; they were joined by the Coastguard team and Police.

Shortly afterwards the Air Ambulance landed on the beach and the casualty was checked over by the Doctor. The patient was some way from an extraction point and with the choppy sea conditions it was decided to use Sea Palling lifeboats All Terrain Vehicle to move the patient to Sea Palling to meet the awaiting Ambulance.

The lifeboat was stood down by the Coastguard at 1.07pm; the lifeboat then returned to station where the it was cleaned, refuelled and made ready for service again.

Chris Risby said: ‘It was good to work as part of a multi-agency rescue and great to work with the Air Ambulance. The crew all worked well together as a team for the best interest of the casualty. This was the first call out for two of our shore crew, Jon Davenport and Mike Fox; a great experience for them.

'With the Easter holidays here we would like to ask people visiting the beach to swim on lifeguarded beaches. If walking on the beach check tide times before you go and keep clear of cliffs, have means of calling for help and tell someone where you are going and when you hope to be back. Come and enjoy yourselves on our great beaches but please stay safe.'

RNLI Media contacts

The photo shows Russell Pickering ready to Launch. Credit: P.Smith/RNLI.

Notes to editors

Happisburgh RNLI Currently Operates:

· D-Class, D - 813 Russell Pickering.

· The station has a Community Water Safety Team.

RNLI media contacts

· Happisburgh Lifeboat Station Volunteer Press Officer Philip Smith:

Mobile 07766007936 Email [email protected]

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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