Steve Medcalf: RNLI volunteer's son following in father's footsteps

James Medcalf said the death of his father was "partly my reason to join the lifeboat" and has taken on his dad's crew number

The son of an RNLI manager who died in a house fire in East Yorkshire has said following in his father's footsteps is "a natural progression" for him.

Steve Medcalf, 52, died three weeks after trying to save his two dogs from a blaze at his home in Withernsea in November 2022.

His son James Medcalf, 20, said he was inspired by his father to be part of the RNLI's 200-year history.

The charity is marking its anniversary with a service in London.

James said his father's death was "partly my reason to join the lifeboat".

"I've been at stations since I was a young kid," he said.

"When he passed away… It was a natural progression for me in my life to just follow [his] footstep and carry on going."

The 20-year-old is studying occupational therapy at York St. John University while completing his RNLI training.

A coroner ruled Steve Medcalf's death, following a fire at his home in Withernsea, was an accident

He said he had so far attended three call-outs since joining the Withernsea lifeboat crew over a year ago and was even given his father's "crew number".

"Every person has their own number - I'm number 13.

"My Dad was number 13 all his life, and on the anniversary of my dad's death, [it was] passed down to me.

"That number it's not only a number, it's you. It's a part of you."

The student described being an RNLI volunteer as "a big commitment" and said he was proud to be part of the charity's long history.

"It's a brilliant thing.

"I think being part of that history is a constant motivation to keep going and keeping serving - that's what drives all of us and the RNLI itself."

Steve Medcalf had been an RNLI volunteer in Withernsea for 25 years

James is hoping to qualify both as an occupational therapist and an RNLI crewmember by May.

Steve Medcalf had been an RNLI volunteer in Withernsea for 25 years until his death on 12 December 2022.

An inquest in Hull in October heard he had been asleep when a fire broke out at his home on North Road, shortly after midnight on 20 November.

Ruling his death as an accident, the coroner had said "on the balance of probabilities" Mr Medcalf died as a result of his efforts to save his pets.

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