Lifeboat called to Shapinsay

Kirkwall Lifeboat crew responded to their first call out of the year last night, to carry out a medical transfer from Shapinsay in stormy weather, which prevented the air ambulance from carrying out the task.

Shetland Coastguard contacted Kirkwall RNLI shortly after 11.30pm, with duty launching authority Graeme Smith informed that the lifeboat was requested to carry out the medical evacuation from the island as the ferry could not sail in the bad sea conditions, and the air ambulance was unable to land in the stormy weather.

The lifeboat left Kirkwall a few minutes later, with coxswain Stewart Ryrie and five more volunteer crew aboard, as well as a paramedic. The wind was blowing from the south-west, gale force 9, with choppy seas.

The lifeboat arrived at Shapinsay pier just after midnight and the female casualty was taken aboard in a stretcher.

The lifeboat arrived back around 12.40am and the casualty was taken ashore to an awaiting ambulance, which took her to Balfour Hospital.

Coxswain Stewart Ryrie said: “The boat made a reasonable passage, there was a lot of wind, but seas were not too bad. The volunteer crew and the paramedic did their best for the patient and we hope she is better soon.”