Search for missing person turns into "significant incident" at Strete Gate

In the early hours of Monday morning, 30 July, Kingsbridge Coastguard Rescue Team were tasked by Falmouth Coastguard (MRCC) to a search for a missing person that turned into a significant incident, involving multiple emergency service personnel and assets. 

The team were initially tasked at midnight, to search alongside Dartmouth Coastguard Rescue Team, the HM Coastguard Area 10 Drone Team, Police Dog Unit, National Police Air Service (NPAS), Coastguard Senior Coastal Operations Officer, and other local Devon and Cornwall Police units for a missing person.

The incident ended up employing a multitude of local rescue agencies and goes to show how lucky we are to have every one of these teams available when and if we ever need it. 

Team members working alongside our emergency service partners to secure the casualty and get them stretched to 924 - credit Kingsbridge Coastguard Rescue Team

A spokesperson for Kingsbridge Coastguard Rescue Service said: "As searches began NPAS was able to locate the casualty, who was in a hard to reach area of beach near to Strete. South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust was informed and dispatched multiple assets including the Devon Air Ambulance (HEMS) to the incident. 

"Coastguard Rescue Officers (CRO’s) from Dartmouth and Kingsbridge CRT arrived alongside Police who had located the casualty, and immediately began providing casualty care. The location meant HEMS would require assistance in getting themselves and their necessary equipment to the scene.

"With this both of Dart RNLI Lifeboat Lifeboat’s were tasked to ferry the HEMS Critical Care Paramedic and Doctor to the scene where CRO’s were attending to the casualty. 

"With location being a particular challenge in this incident, it was deemed helicopter would be the best form of extraction. So Coastguard Rescue Helicopter Rescue 924 from Newquay was tasked. Being a different aircraft to HEMS, Rescue 924 was able to land close to the incident location. Once 924 had landed CRO’s and the HEMS crew stretchered the casualty into the helicopter. 

"Rescue 924 then airlifted the casualty and HEMS crew to the community landing site at Stoke Fleming. Back at the community landing site, secured by CRO’s from the Area 10 Drone Team and Kingsbridge CRT, the casualty was loaded into the Air Ambulance and flown onto hospital. We wish for a speedy recovery for the casualty. 

"This incident challenging, but was a fantastic example of team work in a multi agency incident. The response from all agencies provided the best care possible for this casualty. We are incredibly proud to work alongside all of emergency colleagues who last night did their themselves and their communities proud. 

"Apologies to those residents in Strete and Stoke Fleming areas that may have been woken up in the early hours. Thank you for your patience and understanding."

☎️ Remember in a coastal emergency, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.