Coastguard and Lifeboat Volunteers rescue 19 people at Scolt Head

Coastguard and Lifeboat Volunteers rescue 19 people at Scolt Head

The Coastguard and Lifeboat teams were called out to several separate incidents on arguably the coast's busiest day of the year so far.

Nineteen people were cut off by the tide at Scolt Head Island yesterday afternoon. There were 14 adults, 4 children and 5 dogs returned to Brancaster from the island thanks to Hunstanton RNLI.

As the casualties were being brought back, Hunstanton Coastguard were re-tasked to Hunstanton Promenade to aid a woman who was unconscious following a fall. Once on scene the casualty was awake and alert, the team assessed her and it was decided she need moving from beach due to incoming tide, she was placed in basket stretcher and carried off the beach with assistance from Hunstanton RNLI. The Paramedics arrived and assessed the casualty in the ambulance and she was cleared to go home.

Whilst this incident was ongoing the Coastguard was approached by a member of the public who had fallen on rocks while fishing and first aid was given to lacerations to her legs and lower back.

Earlier in the day the teams had been involved in the search for a missing eight-year-old girl who was found by a member of the public and taken to the RNLI station.

Each of the rescues involves many local volunteers. The Coastguard report of Wednesday 20th May where three people were cut off by the tide at Scolt Head states that a total of sixteen people from the Lifeboat and Coastguard teams were called to the incident.

The RNLI post of 20th May says:

"If you get into trouble call 999 and ask for the Coastguard and we will come to your aid. But coronavirus hasn’t gone away and we all need to follow the rules. Remember your choices might put people, including yourself and frontline responders, at risk. Take extra care in these extraordinary times. This summer with beach lifeguard patrols significantly reduced the RNLI and HM Coastguard are advising the public not to use inflatables at all and for everyone, especially parents, planning a visit to a beach or the coast to follow this safety advice: Have a plan - check the weather forecast, tide times and read local hazard signage.

"Keep a close eye on your family – on the beach and in the water. Don’t allow your family to swim alone. Don’t use inflatables. If you fall into the water unexpectedly, FLOAT TO LIVE. Fight your instinct to thrash around, lean back, extend your arms and legs, and FLOAT."

The Latest News in North-West Norfolk