Sunday afternoon, volunteers from the Coastguard team in Littlehampton responded to reports of an individual in distress and unable to move on West Beach. The person was experiencing intense hip and pelvic pain, causing significant discomfort. Working in collaboration with an Ambulance crew, the Coastguard team provided essential care for the casualty. To determine the best course of action, various options for extraction were considered, including utilizing the boat from Littlehampton RNLI Lifeboat Station to transport the casualty closer to a road. Ultimately, the safest approach was for the team to carry the individual on a stretcher. As the Littlehampton lifeboats arrived at the scene, they delivered a sturdy stretcher and remained offshore, ready to assist if necessary.

Before relocating the patient, it was necessary to administer stronger pain relief. Therefore, a Critical Care Paramedic from the South East Coast Ambulance Service was requested. Once the casualty’s pain was adequately managed, they were carefully transferred to a waiting ambulance for further care and treatment.

Littlehampton Coastguard said “All Coastguard Officers are extensively trained in casualty care and extraction techniques. We regularly undergo stretcher handling training to ensure preparedness for responding to incidents in remote and challenging locations. Yesterday’s operation involved navigating a narrow and steep path across the sand dunes to reach the casualty.”