Filey’s volunteer RNLI Lifeboat crews, along with Coastguard teams, ambulance crews and North Yorkshire Police, were tasked to a significant incident involving swimmers off the Yorkshire Coast yesterday.
Just before 2pm, the UK Coastguard requested the immediate launch of Filey lifeboat following multiple 999 calls that 3 persons were in great difficulties in the sea off Reighton Gap, some 4 miles south of Filey.
As there was already an Atlantic 85 crew at the boathouse preparing to launch on exercise, it was decided to send that boat (relief Atlantic 85 Pride of Fred Olsen) with Neil Cammish, Fraser Haddington, Sarah Scrivener and Rhys Colling as crew.
In view of the nature of the call, the A85 was rapidly launched and with its top speed of over 35 knots, the crew were on scene very quickly.
A crew member entered the water to assist a man in difficulties whilst the other 2 persons appeared to have made it safely to shore. As the man’s condition was so serious, it was decided to transfer the casualty to Coble Landing Filey at top speed by boat to the waiting paramedics who were attending along with both a Coastguard Rescue Helicopter and the Great Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
In the meantime, Filey’s D Class lifeboat, Braund, with Alex Harrison, Liam Frampton and Katie Pooley as crew, was launched to assist Coastguard teams and paramedics at Reighton with the other 2 casualties both of whom were taken to hospital.
John Ward, Filey Lifeboat Press Officer said:
“The lifeboat crews quickly launched the Atlantic 85 lifeboat and were able to take advantage of its top speed to reach the casualties so quickly. It has been a harrowing experience for everyone and we thank all our volunteers who attended as well as the Coastguard teams, Police, paramedics and air crews.”
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