Rescuers at the double!

First they rescued a sailor having a suspected heart attack at Sunderland Point and then found time on their way home to save a driver who had crashed his car in a ditch.

Crew members rushed to Sunderland Point on Tuesday morning after launching the lifeboat from the Globe near Overton.

They decided to wade through the tide to reach the distressed 68-year-old boatman. The tide had cut off Sunderland Point and the man, from First Avenue in the village, was suffering with severe chest pains.

After receiving first aid from the lifeboatmen the pensioner was hoisted to safety by the police helicopter. There he received emergency treatment by paramedics Darren Moss and Martin Robinshaw and was flown to a helicopter launch pad at Heysham. A waiting ambulance then took him to hospital.

Meanwhile the lifeboatmen came across a driver who had crashed his car into a ditch. He was unhurt but after the rescuers dragged him and his car to safety he made a generous donation to the lifeboat association.

Hon Secretary of the lifeboatmen, John Beaty, described the double rescue: "As soon as I picked up the message from Liverpool I put the call out and the crew went as quick as they could. They gave him emergency first aid until the paramedics could treat him. They had done their job and were on their way home when they found the man in the ditch. He was very grateful for the help and gave us a generous."

A spokesman for Morecambe ambulance said: "The tide was in so our paramedic couldn't get across to the distressed sailor. We were also hampered by poor weather conditions. Emergency treatment was applied in the helicopter and on the way to the hospital."

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