A LIFEBOAT crew attending a ceremony to mark 200 years of the RNLI had to dash away from the commemorations to rescue a person from the water.

The casualty who was in the water just off Gullane Point had broken his leg and was rescued last night by emergency services before being taken to hospital by helicopter. 

Moments before the commemorations of the 200th anniversary of the RNLI began, the North Berwick team received a call at 6.17pm and the lifeboat was launched six minutes later. 

The lifeboat joined a multi-agency search and rescue operation and was first on scene, about 20 minutes after launching, locating the casualty with assistance from a member of the public who waved them down.

The casualty was being supported by their friend who, along with the member of the public, had assisted him into the shallows.

Remarkably, despite suffering an injury to their leg, the casualty had been able to get themselves into a position where rescue crews were able to access them.

North Berwick RNLI head ashore to assist the casualty (Image: RNLI/North Berwick)

Once on scene, the crew immediately started casualty care while informing Aberdeen Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre of their position so that other emergency services could make their way to the scene.

Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance was soon circling overhead and, once landed, took over care of the casualty.

The lifeboat crew then assisted paramedics with the treatment and transport of the casualty, along with members of North Berwick, Dunbar and Fisherrow Coastguard Rescue Teams, and the Scottish Ambulance Service.

The casualty was transported to hospital by air ambulance and the lifeboat returned to station at 8.10pm

Coastguard Rescue Team members load the casualty into Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance (Image: RNLI/North Berwick)

Rhona Meikle, helm of North Berwick lifeboat, said: “Thankfully, the casualty had managed to get themselves out of immediate danger before we arrived.

"We’d like to thank the casualty’s friend and member of the public who assisted in getting the casualty to safety.

“They also did the right thing in calling for help immediately after the incident occurred, meaning rescue assets arrived in quick succession.

"Our crew were able to put their casualty care to good use, stabilising the casualty before handing over to the Air Ambulance paramedics.

“The launch gave our non-operational volunteers a chance to experience the side of the RNLI that their fundraising and shop volunteering hours help fund.

"Without them, and the support from members of the public, we wouldn’t be able to launch to save lives at sea.”

In any coastal emergency, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.