RNLI teams faced 'verbal abuse' over parked cars
RNLIBeach lovers are being urged to show more consideration after the RNLI said its teams have been delayed and even blocked from treating people.
The charity said they were met with "verbal abuse and confrontational behaviour" by members of the public in Cullercoats, near Tynemouth, over the bank holiday weekend.
It claimed people had refused to move cars parked on double yellow lines on the access road to the lifeboat station, while others swore at crew members when asked to move to let the lifeboat launch.
Sarah Whitelaw, a volunteer crew member at Cullercoats Lifeboat Station, said: "Seconds count and it's the difference between life or death."
Two calls were responded to on Monday afternoon to help with the search for two missing children, who were found safe and well. A third call was to provide assistance for a medical incident.
The charity said in an emergency crew members have an exemption to park on double yellow lines near the lifeboat station, but it believed some people are parking there as it is close to the beach.
Whitelaw said when people have been asked to move they have been "challenged" and some have "refused to move", leading to delays in rescuing people.
She said all of the crew are volunteers so "subjecting them to verbal abuse is entirely unacceptable".
The access ramp is also used to allow emergency vehicles to get close to the beach, which she described as "absolutely crucial" in providing people with quick treatment.
'We can't launch'
People have also blocked the short ramp that takes the lifeboat down to the water by a tractor and trailer.
The RNLI uses a siren when the lifeboat is ready to launch but at low water more people could be sunbathing or having picnics.
Whitelaw said they generally launch within four minutes of the pager going off but "if we can't clear a path through the beach, we can't launch a lifeboat".
The situation has been made worse due to the hot weather, but Whitelaw said parking problems are nothing new and "at anytime day or night a lifeboat can be required".
Helen WhiteheadA spokesperson for North Tyneside Council said: "Parking on the Cullercoats beach ramp is not permitted where it obstructs emergency access for the RNLI.
"While Blue Badge holders may park on yellow lines if it is safe to do so, this does not apply where vehicles cause an obstruction. We recognise that some drivers have mobility needs, but access for emergency services must always be kept clear.
"We are very concerned to hear that volunteers were obstructed - and verbally abused - while responding to an emergency.
"We monitor the ramp daily and will take enforcement action where our officers witness offences."
