Photo Credit: Bude Community First Responders.
In a timely response to an emergency call, the Bude Coastguard Rescue Team, alongside a member of the Bude Community First Responders, executed a crucial medical evacuation on Thursday, February 15th, 2024. Prompted by a distress signal at 14:56 from the Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, the rescue operation was launched to assist a female casualty who had suffered a severe leg injury on the rocks near Bude Sea Pool.
Upon arrival, the Coastguard team found that first aid was already being administered by a Community First Responder. Efforts were immediately focused on ensuring the injured woman’s comfort, awaiting the arrival of an on-call doctor from BASICS Devon who provided advanced pain relief and applied a splint to stabilise the leg.
As weather conditions worsened, the rescue team took decisive action to transport the casualty. Employing an alpine stretcher, they carefully manoeuvred her across Summerleaze Beach to a waiting ambulance in the nearby car park for hospital transfer, ensuring her swift access to further medical care.
The operation was a testament to the collaboration between local emergency services, with the Bude RNLI Lifeboat team also offering support by preparing their station as a potential shelter for the casualty ahead of the ambulance’s arrival.
The Bude Coastguard Rescue Team extends their best wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured woman and expresses gratitude towards their colleagues for their invaluable assistance during the rescue. This incident highlights the critical role of emergency responders in ensuring public safety and their readiness to face challenging conditions to aid those in need.
