Dunbar RNLI volunteers assist rescue of three people in the water
Dunbar RNLI volunteers came to the aid of three people yesterday (Saturday 24 May) who had to be rescued after getting into difficulties at Tyninghame Beach.
The casualties had all got into difficulties after being caught in a strong rip current running out to sea. The family were initially assisted by an experienced surfer who brought them back onto the beach.
Following treatment by the Dunbar volunteers, one of the casualties was airlifted to hospital in the Coastguard helicopter. Also in attendance were the Scottish Ambulance Service, Police Scotland and North Berwick Coastguard team.
Dunbar RNLI helm Jamie Forrester said: ‘When we arrived the casualties were all in need of medical assistance. We treated the casualties until the helicopter and ambulance arrived.
‘Tyninghame Beach is notorious for strong rip currents, which are difficult to spot. This incident shows how easy a simple trip to the beach can turn serious. If it hadn’t been for the swift actions of the experienced surfer, who was a strong swimmer, this could have been a very different outcome.’
After passing the casualties to the care of the ambulance service, the volunteer crew was stood down at 3.55pm and returned the lifeboat to Dunbar Harbour where it was refuelled and made ready for its next service.
If you see anyone in trouble in the water call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
The advice from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution – the charity that saves lives at sea – regarding rips:
· Rip currents can be difficult to spot, but are sometimes identified by a channel of churning, choppy water on the sea's surface.
· Even the most experienced beachgoers can be caught out by rips, so don’t be afraid to ask lifeguards for advice. They will show you how you can identify and avoid rips.
· The best way to avoid rips is to choose a lifeguarded beach and always swim between the red-and-yellow flags, which have been marked based on where is safer to swim in the current conditions. This also helps you to be spotted more easily, should something go wrong. The nearest lifeguarded beach to Dunbar is at Coldingham Bay.
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.
· A file photo of Dunbar’s lifeboats can be viewed here.
RNLI media contacts
Alexander Williams, Dunbar RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer,
Douglas Wight, Dunbar RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]
Natasha Rushby, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office (available 24 hours) 01202 336789 [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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