Lifeboat station hit by heartless theft (From Gazette Series)

Lifeboat station hit by heartless theft

STAFF at Sharpness lifeboat station have been left reeling after rescue equipment was stolen over the weekend.

The equipment, worth over £2,000 was stolen between late Saturday and early Sunday morning and included a generator and an emergency response bag, which held a trauma kit and oxygen.

The equipment had only been in use for three days after being recently donated to the lifeboat station.

Shane Clarke, chairman at Sharpness station said: "The British Oxygen Company (BOC) together with Gloucestershire Ambulance Service kindly donated this equipment and within the blink of an eye it has gone." The Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) based at Sharpness says it cannot afford to replace the stolen equipment.

Mr Clarke said: "The medical equipment is of no use to anyone other than those in the emergency services and should anyone try selling it or passing it on then it will stand out like a sore thumb."

One SARA's ambulances that provides radio communication for the team during incidents was also damaged during the incident. The two rear doors of the ambulance will have to be replaced and until then it is out of action.

With one vehicle off the road and another non-operational the Sharpness station now faces a reduction in their call-out status. The station serves a wide area including the Severn and Wye rivers and Symonds Yat.

Mr Clarke said: "We're all very annoyed about this, we had only had the equipment three days. Not only have the thieves stolen from a charity but they have stolen equipment that one day could make the difference between saving a life and losing a life.

"We have CCTV but what's a face without a name? If people know anything they should phone Crimestoppers."

During the incident at the weekend a narrow boat was also set free from its moorings.

Anyone with any information can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111