Kirkwall lifeboat braves the storm for medical evacuation

On Friday afternoon, Shetland Coastguard requested the Kirkwall lifeboat’s assistance to bring lady suffering an asthma attack in Shapinsay to Balfour Hospital.

Margaret Foster departed the lifeboat station at 5.31pm, with relief coxswain Angus Budge and five more volunteer crew aboard, along with local doctor Ian Craighead.

The lifeboat made a rocky passage out through rough seas and arrived at Shapinsay pier at 5.45pm and the patient was transferred to the lifeboat.

At 5.55pm, the boat departed Shapinsay and the return journey was made at reduced speed for the comfort and safety of the patient.

Margaret Foster arrived back in Kirkwall at 6.20pm, where the patient was transferred to a waiting ambulance.