Crew volunteers on exercise responded to RNLI lifeguards on Dawlish beach at 12.40pm on 15 July. An elderly lady had been found face down in the sea and dragged ashore by several holidaymakers.

The Devon Air Ambulance was already tasked and inbound within two minutes. The three RNLI crew volunteers cleared the beach and assisted in loading the casualty into the aircraft. The lady was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and the inshore lifeboat exercise was resumed.

(Photo: RNLI/Chris Sims, crew volunteer Helmsman)