Medical emergency at lighthouse sparks RNLI rescue
BBCA person who suffered a medical emergency while stranded at a lighthouse had to be rescued by RNLI volunteers.
The patient took ill on Saturday at St Mary's Lighthouse, in Whitley Bay, but found themselves trapped on Bates Island because the causeway was submerged during high tide.
Cullercoats RNLI was called at 14:37 BST and a lifeboat crew scrambled up the rocks to check and move the casualty.
A spokesperson for the RNLI described the call-out as "challenging" and urged visitors to check the tide times before visiting the island.
The crew managed to access the island using a technique called "veering", which uses the lifeboat's anchor to hold the boat steady while they move backwards.
Two volunteers then entered the water and travelled up the rocks with first aid equipment.
When the patient's condition worsened, the crew, along with two members of St Mary's Island Wildlife Conservation Society, stretchered the patient back to the lifeboat.
Pete Collinson/Cullercoats RNLI Launch AuthorityAfter returning to Cullercoats, they were handed over to the North East Ambulance Service, which treated and discharged them at the scene.
An RNLI crew member said: "It was a challenging service call that called upon many aspects of our training, including seamanship and casualty care in order to look after the casualty and ensure they received the best possible care.
"If you are visiting the island to witness the incredible wildlife on our coast, please remember to check the tide times for safe periods to cross the causeway."