Gravesend's RNLI lifeboat was launched on Sunday 6 December to assist with the evacuation of an injured dock worker from the Purfleet Deep Water Jetty, just upstream of the QE2 bridge on the River Thames.

Paramedics and Essex Fire Service were called to the scene by the terminal operators but due to the inaccessible position of the casualty who had sustained injuries to his back and shoulder due to a fall, the Coastguard requested the assistance of the lifeboat.

Whilst the lifeboat was en route to the scene, the Coastguard helicopter from Lee on Solent on the Hampshire coast was also scrambled, as it was considered too risky to extract the casualty any other way than by winching from the air.

Once on scene the RNLI lifeboat crew were able to act as on scene coordinator and provided communications between the helicopter and the other emergency services.

RNLI Station Manager, Ian Dunkley said: 'This was a good example of the emergency services cooperating together in a difficult situation on the river. Access to many of the riverside wharves and jetties is difficult, if not impossible, for shore-based rescue personnel and at times like this the lifeboat and rescue helicopters can be invaluable.

'In this case the Coastguard helicopter was the most suitable asset available as there was nowhere for a helicopter to land ruling out the use of the Essex Air Ambulance.'

The casualty was successfully winched into the helicopter and taken to Southend Hospital.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Tim Ash, Divisional Media Relations Manager (South East and London) on 01825 747727 or 07785 296252, email tash@rnli.org.uk or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789