Northumberland RNLI lifeboat capsizes in heavy seas

Three RNLI lifeboatmen had to be rescued after Craster inshore lifeboat in Northumberland capsized in heavy seas

Three RNLI crewmen had to be rescued after the lifeboat they were on capsized while on exercise in Northumberland on Sunday afternoon.

Lifeboats from the neighbouring RNLI station at Seahouses were called out, but the Craster crew and the capsized boat had been washed onto the rocky shore by the time they arrived.

A female crewmember of the lifeboat suffered facial injuries and sea water ingestion, and she and her two male colleagues also suffered bruising, mild hypothermia and shock.

All three were airlifted by an RAF rescue helicopter directly to Wansbeck Hospital, but were released from hospital later that day.

Seahouses All Weather Lifeboat stood by offshore in case it was required, but the stricken Craster boat was recovered by man-handling it across the rocky shore to return it to its boathouse.

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An inquiry has been launched into the incident.

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