Humber Rescue has experienced one of the most challenging nights in its history, saving three people’s lives.
On Friday, May 23, Humber Rescue responded to multiple serious incidents across the River Humber in what it described as an “intense and emotionally demanding ten-hour period”. At 6.06pm, the lifeboat was tasked to reports of two vessels aground near Brough, one with two people on board, including an elderly man, and the other with a single occupant.
“While en route to that incident, we were immediately re-tasked to a separate emergency nearby on the River Humber,” a spokesperson for Humber Rescue said. “Upon arrival, the situation rapidly escalated, and our crew was faced with a person in the water in critical need of help.
“Within just two minutes, the casualty was recovered into the lifeboat and received immediate care from the crew before being transferred to shore and shortly after, handed over to Yorkshire Ambulance Service for onward treatment at hospital.”
The rescue service’s D-Class boat was then tasked back to Brough to assess the grounded vessels but, shortly after arriving, the crew were again re-tasked to a third emergency, with reports of another person in the water, again within the vicinity of the Humber Rescue station, at Hessle foreshore.
“Both boats responded at speed and conducted a co-ordinated search,” the spokesperson said. “After 40 minutes, the call was stood down as a false alarm with good intent.”
The crews returned to station to refuel “both boats and bodies” before heading back to Brough to assist with the rescue of the two individuals still stranded on one of the grounded vessels. Rescue Helicopter 912 was deployed to assess and potentially assist, and following a joint decision, a mud rescue was attempted with the support of Cleethorpes, Hornsea and Hull Coastguard Rescue Teams, with Humber Rescue ferrying additional emergency personnel to the scene.
“With 912 providing illumination, both casualties were successfully extracted from the mud and returned safely to our vessel, then on to shore. They were checked over and found to be well and in good spirits.
“But the night didn’t end there. Our crew was once again re-tasked, this time to check on the second vessel that had gone aground earlier. The sole occupant was safe, well-equipped, and chose to remain aboard until the tide allowed for a float-off.
“With that confirmed, our lifeboat returned to base and the full team began the task of cleaning down, refuelling, and preparing the boats, ready to respond again. Which, incidentally, we did, just a few hours later at 4am.”
The spokesperson said what made the period particularly challenging was not just the number of incidents, but the nature of them. “Our crew was exposed to one of the most distressing types of emergencies, and yet, with no time to pause or process what they’d just experienced, they were straight into the next task.
“Throughout it all, Humber Rescue worked side by side with our colleagues from Hull, Hornsea and Cleethorpes Coastguard Rescue Teams, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, East Midland Ambulance Service, Coastguard Helicoper Rescue 912, and Humber Coastguard.
“This was a full-team effort by professionals and volunteers who gave up their evening, their families, and their personal time to help those in need. While we appreciate that the presence of a rescue helicopter often raises questions online, we kindly ask the public to avoid speculation. False information was circulated, and while we understand the public interest, we urge people to wait for verified updates, such as this one, before drawing conclusions.
“Where possible, we will always keep our community informed about our work on the river, and we thank you for your continued support. Humber Rescue is 100 per cent funded by public donations.
“Not a single penny is taken out of the organisation for wages or profit. Without your support, what we did yesterday [Friday] would not have been possible.
“From the crew on the water to the people behind the scenes, it’s your donations and our volunteers that make this life-saving work happen. We stand ready to respond to any incident, any time of day. Together, we continue making a difference.”
Paul Berriff, Humber Rescue founder, shared his thoughts on the day’s events. He said: “To save the life of another is one of the highest honours a person can carry.
(Image: Humber Rescue)
“The last ten hours have shown, once again, why Humber Rescue exists, and why it must continue. I’m extremely proud of every crew member involved for their courage, calm, and relentless commitment to those in need.”
Dave Roberts, chairman, who has served with Humber Rescue for over 30 years, said: “This was one of the busiest and most demanding operational days in memory. It’s a testament to the resilience, professionalism, and dedication of our volunteer crew that they performed so exceptionally across such a range of incidents.”
Ian Bennett, trustee, also marking over 30 years of service, said: “It was an incredibly busy period both on the water and behind the scenes. Co-ordinating multiple incidents, managing assets, and supporting the crew under that kind of pressure takes real teamwork.
“Everyone pulled together, and the result speaks for itself, lives were saved.”
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