Immediate call out for new Tynemouth RNLI lifeboat volunteer

Chris Reah (right) returning from his first 'shout'

A volunteer lifeboat crewman on Tyneside was called out just seconds after he was officially made a member.

Chris Reah had just been handed his new pager by Tynemouth RNLI station's coxswain when the alarm was raised over a grounded boat in the River Tyne.

The inshore lifeboat was launched and, along with experienced helm Jill McCormick, he took part in the rescue operation.

The stricken vessel was assisted to a nearby marina. No-one was hurt.

Adrian Don, from Tynemouth RNLI lifeboat station, said: "Chris had literally just been welcomed officially onto the crew by being given a crew pager when the pagers were activated, calling the station's volunteers into action.

"This was a fairly routine service and although Chris was taken by surprise by being called on so quickly after becoming a crew member he took it all in his stride and is looking forward to gaining a lot more training and experience."