Surfer keeps injured man afloat until RNLI arrives

A man in shock with a head injury in the sea was helped by a surfer until an inshore lifeboat crew reached them off a north Devon beach on Friday.

RNLI Appledore said it had responded to "a significant emergency" about 45m (50 yards) off the north end of Saunton Sands at about 16:15 BST after two surfers had been seen, one of which appeared to be unconscious and the other waving for help.

On arrival the crew found the man conscious but in shock with a cut forehead lying on a surfboard, and being helped by the other surfer.

The lifeboat took them both to the RNLI station where awaiting paramedics treated the injured man and took him to hospital by ambulance.

Saunton Sands Surf Lifesaving club said it had been one of its members who kept the injured man afloat for about 30 minutes until further help arrived.

RNLI Appledore's lifeboat operations manager Bob Meller asked the public to call 999 and ask for the coastguard if they saw anyone who appeared to be in trouble in or near the water.

He said: "The crew would prefer to be paged for a potential emergency which turns out to be a false alarm, than not to be called and find out someone really needed our help."

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