Surfer helps keep injured man afloat before RNLI rescue

Appledore volunteers were called out on Friday afternoon (25th April)

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 28th Apr 2025

A surfer's come to the aid of another off the North Devon coast - keeping them afloat until the RNLI arrived to rescue them.

The Coastguard received an emergency call at around 4.15pm on Friday (25th April), with one surfer appeared to be waving for help about 50 yards off Saunton Beach.

The volunteer lifeboat crew arrived to find a man face down on a board, being supported by the surfer calling for help.

They were conscious but has suffered a cut to the head and were in shock.

Lifeboat staff gave them first aid care and transferred them to an ambulance for onward treatment at hospital, once they got onto the beach.

Their surfboard was taken back to the lifeboat station.

Bob Meller, Appledore RNLI's Lifeboat Operations Manager said: 'Please if you see anyone on, or near, the water who appears to be in difficulty, phone 999 and ask for the Coatguards.

"The crew would prefer to be paged for a potential emergency which turns out to be a false alarm, than not to be called and find out someone really needed our help."

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