Minutes count as RNLI crews and firefighters race to save them from the rapidly rising waters of the River Ouse.
That was one of the scenarios practised by search and rescue colleagues on 24 September, to rehearse how they would work together during a real-life emergency on Lynn's historic waterfront.
Hunstanton RNLI sent its hovercraft and fast inshore lifeboat by sea to the centre of the port town, while Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service launched an inflatable boat from a nearby slipway and police stood by ashore.
The 'casualty' - a life-sized training dummy used by volunteers at the lifeboat station - was soon located on the West Lynn bank near the Ferry Steps.
Once the hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer had brought the mannikin ashore, firefighters came alongside and deployed an inflatable mud sled to help transport them up the slippery bank.
On completing the first drill, a second practise 'shout' saw personnel tasked to rescue a dummy casualty who had entered the water further upstream near the main A47.
All three assets spread out across the river to conduct a search as darkness fell and the tide began to turn and pick up pace back out to sea.
Once the mannikin had been located and safely landed at a riverside mooring, it was time to compare notes before the RNLI crews set off on their return to station to wash down and refuel their craft.
Lifeboat operations manager Mike Gould said: 'It was a really useful evening for ourselves, the fire service and police.
'It was all about learning about each other's craft, equipment and capabilities and how we'd use them together during a real emergency which might require all of our expertise to be deployed.
'People associate us with search and rescue operations at sea, but we're just as ready to go to the aid of someone who finds themselves in danger in the centre of Lynn.'
Editor's Notes
Hunstanton lifeboat station operates a fast inshore lifeboat and a search and rescue hovercraft.
Its volunteers cover The Wash, a tidal estuary of some 200 square miles fed by five main rivers, along with parts of the north Norfolk coast.
Like more than 200 RNLI crews around the coast of the UK and Ireland, their lifesaving work would not be possible without the kindness of those who donate to the charity that saves lives at sea.
RNLI Images
Pictures from the exercise in King's Lynn attached.
Please note credit: RNLI/Chris Bishop
RNLI Media Contacts
For more information call Chris Bishop, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07584 147219 or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
RNLI/Chris Bishop
RNLI hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer takes part in the exercise in King's Lynn, as lifeboat Irene Cornford stands by to assist on the River Ouse
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.
