Cowes RNLI respond to medical emergency on return from Bembridge RNLI open day

The crew of Cowes RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, Sheena Louise, had been out since 11.30am and were returning to the station from Bembridge. At 2.10pm, as the crew were refueling on the River Medina, they were tasked to a serious back injury at west Lepe.

A man and woman on a small 3.5 meter rib, accompanied by two friends on a jet ski, were on their way home from Yarmouth when a rogue wave hit their bow. The woman suffered a painful injury to her back and was struggling to move.

The Cowes RNLI crew made best speed to their location and soon two of their qualified casualty carers were able to assess the casualty. As a helicopter evacuation was deemed impossible, the RNLI crew administered first aid and escorted the rib and casualty across the water and up the Beaulieu river to Gins Old Farm House. There, they were met by members of the Hill Head Coastguard Rescue Team and a waiting ambulance.

The crew returned to the station at 5.15pm.

Ady Stothard, helm at Cowes RNLI said:

“We spent five and a half hours on the boat, which makes this one of our longest shouts without a crew change. I am proud of the crew for their fortitude and determination. Once we heard the tasking was to a severe back injury, we made the collective decision not to delay with a crew change and to respond immediately. It was a difficult rescue as we had very few options available to us and I am proud of how we responded and happy we were able to get the casualty safely to shore and into the care of paramedics. Adaptability, quick thinking and teamwork are key to successful rescues, and the crew demonstrated that here.”

The RNLI crew would like to thank the two people on the jet ski who assisted by slowing down passing boats to reduce wash and ensure a smoother passage to shore. They would also like to recognise that the man, upon calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard, gave an accurate location using the what3words app. The app divides the world into 3 metre squares and gives each square a unique combination of three words, which serves to provide an accurate location for rescue services. His quick thinking greatly assisted with the RNLI response.

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RNLI media contacts

• Sofia Voudouroglou, Cowes RNLI Volunteer Deputy Press Officer 07594051372/ [email protected]

• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789.

About Cowes RNLI Station

Cowes Lifeboat Station is converted from a former HM Customs Watch House, the rear of which is 300 years old. It looks out onto one of the world’s busiest shipping waterways and carries out a range of interesting services every year. It is the only station to be opened by Queen Elizabeth II.