First aid skills of Northumberland Coastguard teams are called on during busy Bank Holiday Monday

Two members of Howick Coastguard Rescue Team were called into help Seahouses Coastguard Rescue Team as they supported Seahouses Lifeboat station as the volunteer crew towed in a 6 metre-long Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB) after it suffered mechanical problems while out at sea this afternoon, Monday, May 31.

As they awaited its arrival at around 1.30pm, the teams were made aware of a medical incident, with reports of an an unconscious casualty on the North Pier of the village’s harbour.

The North East Ambulance Service was also called to the scene.

A spokesperson for the Howick team said: “The two team members already on the harbour responded and gave immediate casualty care whilst the rest of the team were paged.

"Assistance was also given by a member of the Seahouses Inshore Lifeboat crew.

“The ambulance arrived on scene quickly – which coincidentally was crewed by one of the paramedics on the Howick team – and the casualty transported to hospital for further assessment and treatment.

“This was great joint working between the team and the lifeboat crew and we would like to wish the casualty a full and speedy recovery.”

Meanwhile, Berwick Coastguard Rescue was called out at 1.25pm to assist Eyemouth Coastguard with an incident at Coldingham Sands, just south of St Abbs over the boarder in Scotland, when a person was found showing the signs of hypothermia.

A spokesperson for the team said: “We assisted RNLI Lifeguards Scotland with a casualty suffering the effects of hypothermia.

"We provided first aid to the casualty and then stretchered them to the Lifeguard hut on the beach.

"Once sheltered from the wind, we continued to provide casualty care until the arrival of Scottish Ambulance Service, when the casualty was handed over and transported to hospital.”

All teams have issued the reminder that in an emergency at sea or on the coast, or if it is thought someone may be in difficulty, people should always call the Coastguard by dialling 999.

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