A happy new year to one and all. Here’s hoping that 2023 is as safe as possible.
In 2022, HM Coastguard was 200 years old. Bude Coastguard team’s work continued to the end of December.
On 30th, at 16:30, they were called out to a report of a male casualty with a suspected broken leg, just beyond the car park at Lower Longbeak, just north of Widemouth Bay.
Arriving on scene, an officer made their way to the casualty to do an initial assessment. Boscastle team also attended as a stretcher was required. Meanwhile, Bude’s officers splinted the casualty’s leg, kept him warm, and prepared an extrication plan.
The casualty was ultimately transferred into their own vehicle, and his partner was able to take him onward to hospital.
This makes it sound easier than it actually was. Steve Maclure commented on the Coastguard’s Facebook page post:
Great work in a serious wind chill. Thank You for responding so quickly to the call. On arrival in Hospital, The casualty had to undergo a 4 hour operation to a bad break to both leg bones just above the ankle, requiring 11 screws. I am glad that my brothers and I just happened to be there to help locate the casualty and use What3Words to tell the Coastguard as we rang 999.
The team’s previous callout was on 25th November to a dog over the cliff incident at Morwenstow, requiring a rope rescue alongside the Hartland team. The dog was safely retrieved.
For any emergency on the coast, cliffs or sea, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. It is well worth getting the What3Word app on your phone.
