Injured fisherman rescued

Apr 30 2008 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

A FISHERMAN who broke his leg was rescued by lifeboat volunteers off the coast of Wirral yesterday.

Paramedics had already been called by a friend of the fisherman who had set out yesterday morning to the end of the groyne off Egremont promenade in Wallasey.

But they were unable to get him back along the concrete structure and the RNLI lifeboat from New Brighton was called.

The 34-year-old fisherman from Birkenhead is thought to have fallen between the rocks while walking to the end of the groyne opposite Tobin Street.

His friend is believed to have alerted the emergency services by mobile phone.

Mark Harding, helmsman of the New Brighton Lifeboat, said the rocks there were “treacherous” but this did not stop fishermen using them.

The lifeboat was called at 10.20am and seven volunteers rushed from their homes and jobs, with four boat crew, a tractor driver and two shore crew taking part in the rescue.

Mr Harding said:

“He was in a particularly awkward position and we thought about calling in the helicopter at one point.

“But we put him into a basket stretcher and transferred him to the boat and then he was taken to Arrowe Park hospital where the last I heard he was OK.”