RNLI volunteers commended for rescuing a father and son after 'difficult' incident at Marsden Rock
and live on Freeview channel 276
Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) crewmembers Michael Brown, Mark Taylor and lifeboat helm Mark Charlton were presented with commendations from Tynemouth RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Doug Nicholson for their ‘swift and difficult’ rescue.
The Tynemouth RNLI rescue crew were called to Marsden Rock at around 8.50pm on Sunday, July 14 2019, after a couple and their 11-year-old son were carried away by a rip current while they were swimming at Marsden beach.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe mother was washed all the way round Marsden Rock by the strong current and managed to scramble from the water. The father went into the water to help his son but was also caught by the current.
Eventually the father and son managed to scramble up the side of Marsden rock and were clinging onto a ledge by their fingertips when the RNLI crew arrived at the scene.
The rescue involved a technique known as “veering down” the inshore lifeboat into an unexposed cove on the side of Marsden Rock while two-metre high waves crashed over the boat.
Helm Mark Charlton skilfully got the boat along Marsden Rock to allow the father and son to jump into the sea, where they were able to be pulled into the boat by Mark Taylor and Michael Brown.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdBoth casualties were taken to South Shields ferry landing following the rescue where they were treated by paramedics from the North East Ambulance Service for hyperthermia and minor cuts to their feet.
On presenting the crew their commendations, he commented: “While it only took around seven minutes in total to get the lifeboat into the surf and rescue the casualties, it was still a very challenging situation.
“Our volunteer crew members used their training and experience to good effect and performed without fault to ensure the effective rescue of the casualties from a life threatening situation.”