Lifeboat crew swims ashore to rescue baby with breathing difficulties

Heroic crews from Cullercoats Lifeboat Crew made the decision to swim to the shore with the vital medical equipment needed to help a newborn baby.

At 5.50pm on Tuesday, March 10, Humber Coastguard paged the crew at Cullercoats Lifeboat Crew who launched their boat to St Mary’s Island, off the coast of Whitley Bay.

The island was cut off by the tide and the Cullercoats lifeboat was the first to arrive, however the crew had to swim the last few metres to the island with the equipment they needed to give medical attention to the child.

The crew continued to treat the baby until the tide had receded enough for an ambulance to be able to cross the causeway, with the help of Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade.

Paramedics took over the care of the child when they arrived and they were able to leave the island in the ambulance by road.

The Tynemouth crew, who had launched their smaller Y-Class lifeboat, picked up the remaining Cullercoats crew from the island, returned everyone to their respective boats, then all units returned to their stations.

Frank Taylor, lifeboat operations manager for Cullercoats, said: “This was a great effort by all concerned and was an excellent example of teamwork between the lifeboat crews and other organisations. We wish the casualty a speedy recovery.”