Multi-agency rescue operation carried out at Seaton Sluice
A man has sustained serious injuries after falling up to 15 feet on rocks at Seaton Sluice
A man is being treated in hospital, after falling between 10 and 15 feet on rocks at Seaton Sluice, near Blyth.
A multi-agency rescue operation was carried out yesterday, around 10:33am, with ambulance crews and the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade working with Blyth Coastguard Rescue Team to rescue the man, in his 60's.
TVLB said the casualty had landed on a rock and sustained serious injuries.
The Ambulance Service deployed their Hazardous Area Response Team to the scene and two of their paramedics worked to treat and stabilise the casualty, with assistance from the two coastal rescue teams.
Meanwhile, Brigade members also assessed the scene and decided that the safest extraction option would be via the air, with a Coastguard Rescue Helicopter requested, and then dispatched from the base at Humberside Airport.
It is relatively rare that they seek helicopter assistance but say the narrow coastal paths, large rocks and the exposed nature of where the casualty had fallen meant such help was needed for this call.
Once on scene the helicopter winched the casualty onboard, before flying him to a nearby football pitch, where the rescue teams were again on hand to assist in the transfer to an ambulance.
The man was then taken to hospital for further assessment and treatment.
The TVLB say;
"The location and injuries sustained by the casualty made this a challenging call but our close working relationship with the Ambulance Service and our flank rescue team at Blyth helped us reach a successful outcome.
"The incident also attracted large crowds and we’d like to thank everyone for following our directions and keeping a safe distance from the scene – the helicopter creates a very strong downdraft which can easily blow you over and added an extra dimension to the rescue today."