RNLI Queensferry lifeboat volunteers rush to 'challenging' rescue after four people injured on Cramond Island
After an initial report of a woman with an ankle injury, volunteers received reports of three other being injured.
Lifeboat volunteers rushed to Cramond Island over the weekend after a number of people were injured in a “challenging” rescue.
Crew from the RNLI Queensferry Lifeboat station were called to the island at around 4.30pm on Saturday, August 28.
The first reports came from the HM Coastguard of a female with an ankle injury.
Rescue crew members arrived on scene at the same time as a music event was taking place, which initially hindered their ability to find the injured woman.
They eventually tracked her down to a rocky slope on the north of the island.
The crew on scene suspected that she had a lower leg fracture and administered pain relief while plans were made for her evacuation from the island with help from the Coastguard Rescue Team.
However, while plans were being made, the rescue team received a second report of a person elsewhere on the island who was unconscious but breathing.
After locating the second casualty, crew members helped her to come around while administering oxygen before plans were made to evacuate her to Cramond village where an ambulance was awaiting.
They then transported SORT paramedics to the island to help with further treatment to the first incident, with a helicopter called in to help transport the woman with the suspected fracture.
The rescue team’s work didn’t finish there however as while waiting for the helicopter, a third report of a person with a head injury came through to the rescue team. After locating the third casualty, an assessment determined that no further medical assistance was required.
After the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 199 evacuated the first casualty to Cramond, a fourth report came into the Queensferry lifeboat volunteers.
The fourth casualty had reportedly fallen from a height and complained of lower back. After a medical assessment, they were advised to attend A&E when possible.
The volunteers then finally left the island and returned to the Queensferry Lifeboat station at around 8pm.
Volunteer ILB Helm Petra Surplus said: “This was a challenging and rapidly evolving incident. However, this was a great example of a multi-agency tasking where lifeboat crew, coastguard, SORT, ambulance, police and coastguard helicopter teams worked together for a successful outcome.’
”We would like to extend our thanks to all those involved, including the members of the public who assisted on the Island.”