Flood Busters 2008
Once again the Redcar RNLI were called into action when floods struck in August 2008. Torrential rain in the days leading up to Saturday 6 September resulted in widespread flooding in the north of England and by 10am there was an emergency call for a flood rescue team to standby in Pickering, North Yorkshire.

In a now well rehearsed operation, six crewmembers from Redcar - Tony Wild, Andy Beevis, Barry Knaggs, Stuart Nelson, Mark Reeves and Tom McNamara reported to the RNLI's Divisional Base in Thornaby to collect boats and equipment before making the dash to Pickering. There, they were joined by fellow RNLI crewmembers from Scarborough. They remained on standby until the major threat had passed in the early afternoon, when the teams were stood down.

Hardly had the Redcar team arrived back home when an emergency call was made for the team to reassemble at the Divisional base and make it's way to Morpeth in Northumberland where a massive rescue operation was swinging into action after several feet of floodwater had swept through the town.

Joined by RNLI crews from other north east lifeboat stations, the Redcar team worked throughout the evening and into the night, rescuing dozens of people, ferrying doctors, gas and electrical engineers and administering first aid. As the waters subsided the teams were release, and the Redcar guys were back home by breakfast time on the Sunday morning.

Below are pictures of the team, showing some of their rescue work.

Barry Knaggs (left), Andy Beevis & Tony Wild

Tom McNamara (kneeling, left), Stuart Nelson (standing, left) & Mark Reeves (standing, right)

En route

Stuart Nelson (centre) and Barry Knaggs (right) help with salvage operations

Stuart Nelson (2nd from left) rescues a trapped person.

...first published 9 Sep 2008