RNLI lifeboats, the Coastguard helicopter, police, and paramedics were deployed to the scene off Horden beach on Sunday
Major sea rescue operation launched for person in distress 200 yards off North East coast(Image: RNLI/Tom Collins)
A major sea rescue operation was launched off the North East coast over the weekend following reports of a person in distress 200 yards out from the beach. RNLI lifeboats, the Coastguard helicopter, police, and paramedics were deployed to the scene and the person was located in the water.
Both the all weather and inshore lifeboats launched at 3.20pm, within ten minutes of volunteers being paged about the incident, which happened off Horden Beach on the East Durham Coast at 3.10pm on Sunday, June 28. The inshore lifeboat arrived at the scene first at 3.35pm where a crewmember entered the water to recover the casualty from the choppy water with a force four westerly wind.
The person was then taken aboard the inshore lifeboat and then transferred to the all weather lifeboat where casualty care was administered. Within a few minutes a Coastguard helicopter arrived from Carlisle Airport where a paramedic was winched aboard the all weather lifeboat to take over casualty care.
The all weather lifeboat returned to the Ferry Road lifeboat station at 4.20pm where the casualty was transferred to an awaiting ambulance. The Coastguard Helicopter landed in PD Ports Hartlepool Docks to recover the winchman paramedic.
Hartlepool RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Steve Pounder said: “Another quick response from the team located the casualty quickly and working alongside the Coastguard, North East Ambulance Service, police and PD Ports staff brought the incident to a safe conclusion.”
Hartlepool RNLI coxswain Matt Adams said: “A fantastic turnout from the team and excellent multi-agency collaboration ensured the casualty was recovered quickly from the water, undoubtedly a life saved. Thanks to the crew and partner agencies for their professionalism and teamwork.”
Hartlepool RNLI inshore lifeboat helm Jamie Northey said: “A job well done with my crew. This could have potentially been a different outcome'”
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