The RNLI was called to a person in the water at Cullercoats Bay just before 3am on Monday, June 22, with one individual subsequently taken to hospital. The North East Ambulance Service supported the lifeboat team at the scene.
Upon arrival, the RNLI crew quickly located the casualty and brought them ashore. The person was then transported by ambulance to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle for further medical treatment.
Previous Incident and Training
Just one day earlier, on Sunday, June 21, volunteers were tasked with assisting a person in distress in South Shields around 4:30am. However, the lifeboat was stood down after the casualty was confirmed safe. The Cullercoats RNLI crew then participated in a joint training session with local lifeguards.
In a social media post, Cullercoats RNLI stated: "Our crew have had a couple of early starts this week! The pager awoke our volunteers to sunrise on the summer solstice on Sunday, to assist a person in distress in the South Shields area. Following launch against a stunning sky, the lifeboat was stood down after the casualty was confirmed to be safe. Our committed crew were back on station a couple hours and a cup of coffee later though, not wanting to miss Sunday morning exercise, which this week was a joint training session with our local RNLI lifeguards!"
The post continued: "Another early shout followed just before 3am on Monday morning, with our lifeboat called upon to assist a person in the water in Cullercoats Bay. The casualty was quickly located and brought ashore, with subsequent assistance provided by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust."
Ongoing Commitment
The RNLI emphasized their round-the-clock availability: "Our volunteers are on call 24/7, ready to leave their jobs, their families and their beds to assist anyone in difficulty in or on the water. If you see anyone requiring assistance at the coast, call 999 and ask for the coastguard."
A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service said: "We were called to an incident at Cullercoats Bay shortly before 2.45am on 22 June. We dispatched two double crewed ambulances, a clinical team leader and one vehicle from our Hazardous Area Response Team. One patient was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary."
