Civic visitor sees real-life rescue drama as Hornsea man is plucked from the sea.
East Riding of Yorkshire chairman, Councillor Christopher Matthews, found himself in the middle of of a real life rescue on the day he went to inspect the new Hornsea Inshore Rescue Boathouse. Cllr Matthews arrival was imminent when the call-out was received and many of the other guests including the Mayor of Hornsea Cllr. John Miller and Deputy Mayor Cllr John Whittle were wondering if it was a mock call-out to show how quickly the crew could respond.
It soon became evident that the call was the real thing after a report of a man in severe difficulties and on the verge of drowning had been spotted off Hornsea's central promenade. The emergency services swung into action and Hornsea Inshore Rescue was soon on the scene.
The man was then recovered to the beach where Hornsea Rescue's team of first responders took care of the man using the skills and equipment provided to them by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service as part of the Community First Responder scheme. The man's condition was serious and rapidly deteriorating so the RAF Rescue Helicopter was called in and landed on the beach close by. The man was transfered to the helicopter and taken to Hull Royal Infirmary.
Back at the boathouse Cllr Mathews continued with his visit which included a "thank you" to the crew once they had changed from their rescue gear. Cllr Mathews later said "I came to see a big project for which local people had raised the money, when I actually saw it I was even more impressed. This building far exceeded my expectations. The whole setup is so very professional. What is provided here is a very special service for those who make use of our coast but what is really impressive is the community spirit that has driven the project forward. I am well aware that none of this would have been possible without the commitment of the Hornsea rescue volunteers and the people who support them. This is something that the people of Hornsea and the East Riding can be justly very proud of".