Wirral's independent local news website
On Monday 25 October 2021, at 3.59am, New Brighton Lifeboat launched to a report of person in the water at the Pier Head Landing stage Liverpool.
The alarm was first raised when the Pilot vessel ‘Razorbill’ had discovered a person in the water near their landing stage and called the Coastguard as the casualty had disappeared under the landing stage into an area locally called ‘The Cattle Shed’.
New Brighton Lifeboat was then tasked by the coastguard and arrived on the scene to discover a female casualty in the fast-flowing currents clinging onto the underneath of the wooden structure.
After assessing all options the New Brighton crew concluded that the only way to rescue the casualty was for New Brighton Lifeboat to commit a crew member from the boat into the water to reach the casualty. The crew member was able to rescue the casualty and bring them back to the Lifeboat. They were assisted by a second crew member who had also entered the water to help recover the female into the boat.
Once onboard the lifeboat, the female was checked over and appeared to be suffering from the early onset hypothermia. The casualty was then taken to the Pier Head landing stage before being handed over to North West Ambulance service.
Also assisting were Merseyside Fire and rescue service, including Marine Rescue Unit and Wirral Coastguard.
Once the casualty was handed over, the boat returned to station and washed down in readiness for their next shout.
Damian Cull, Deputy Launch Authority, New Brighton Lifeboat said, “We were so pleased to have been able to rescue the casualty from the strong currents of the Mersey, the team worked well together in conjunction with Merseyside Fire & Rescue and Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team who were also tasked. We wish her a speedy recovery from her ordeal.”
If you see someone in trouble at the coast dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.
Image credit: RNLI/New Brighton