Real RNLI rescue unfolds moments before training

A boy had fallen off the slip at Little St Catherine's into shallow water, the RNLI said

A Jersey RNLI crew had to stop a planned training session as a real-life emergency unfolded in front of them.

St Catherine RNLI said their crew were preparing to launch their boat for an exercise on Sunday morning when they noticed "unusual activity" happening on the slip at Little St Catherine's.

The crew went over and found a boy had fallen into shallow water and was in some distress, the RNLI said.

The boy had managed to drag himself back up the beach but had hurt his legs, with an ambulance called to the scene due to concerns about the extent of his injuries.

A local doctor who had been near the scene also helped assess the boy, the crew added.

Elwyn Dop, inshore lifeboat helm, said about the situation: "Given the proximity to the lifeboat station and the fact that we were launching, our casualty-care trained crew were able to be on scene in very short order.

"Our volunteer crew maintain casualty care qualifications and we refresh those skills continuously, so we were well-placed to ensure that the casualty in this situation was properly assessed and looked after while we waited for paramedic support."

Mr Dop thanked members of the public who helped during the incident.