Exmouth's lifeboat in early-hours shout

Helps man with serious injury

A man who slipped on board a motor boat on the Exe on Friday morning has the RNLI to thank for the speedy way he was handed over to the help of paramedics. 

The unnamed man was on a 40-foot motor cruiser moored off Starcross when he sipped and fell in the early hours, picking up what the RNLI says was "a significant shoulder injury that required urgent attention.'

That meant a call out to the Exmouth's lifeboat crew, getting xoxswain Steve Hockings-Thompson and volunteers Andrew Stott, Harry Griffin, Guy Munnings, James Earle and David Preece out of bed around 1.20 a.m.

They boarded the boat and administered first aid at the scene, before helping the vessel to shore and a waiting ambulance.

teve Hockings-Thompson said: “The injured person had slipped, fallen on deck and sustained a nasty injury. Even on the River Exe last night, the conditions were severe with strong currents and winds gusting at 40 knots that made manoevering a challenge. For that reason and taking into account the injury sustained by the man, we decided not to conduct a transfer to the lifeboat. Three of my crew took charge of the vessel, administered first aid to the casualty, who was taken to the marina and a waiting ambulance. We were pleased to be of assistance and wish the gentleman a speedy recovery.”