RNLI volunteers help injured boy who fell off slip near lifeboat station

Monday 26 August 2024

RNLI Jersey volunteers came to the aid of a boy who was injured after falling off the slip near the St Catherine’s lifeboat station yesterday.

The St Catherine’s crew were about to launch the lifeboat as they prepared for their morning exercise on Sunday when they noticed “unusual activity” at the slip.

The boy, who had fallen off the slip into shallow water and hurt his legs, was able to pull himself up the beach but was described as being in “some distress”.

In a statement, the RNLI Jersey said: “The crew, who maintain ongoing casualty care qualifications, stepped in to assess the casualty and were assisted by a local doctor who had also observed the commotion.

"While spinal injury was ruled out, there was concern about the extent of the casualty’s injuries and the boy was reluctant to move, so an ambulance was called.”

The crew monitored the boy’s condition while they waited for the ambulance.

Following the incident, inshore lifeboat helm Elwyn Dop said: “Given the proximity to the lifeboat station and the fact that we were launching, our casualty-care trained crew were able to be on scene in very short order.

“Our volunteer crew maintain casualty care qualifications and we refresh those skills continuously, so we were well-placed to ensure that the casualty in this situation was properly assessed and looked after while we waited for paramedic support.

“We are grateful to those members of the public who assisted, too.”