THE Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team was diverted from pre-planned Wednesday night training to assist in a multi-agency rescue operation in Largs.

The team proceeded north towards Largs accompanied by Senior Coastal Operations Officer Steve Muldoon to reports of a young female trapped on rocks near to Largs Marina with Largs Lifeboat and other coastguard assets also being tasked. 

On arrival, the female was being tended to by paramedics and Fire and Rescue personnel and was in a precarious position a significant distance away from the nearest access point. 

The female was successfully freed from the rocks and being cared for by paramedics, with Largs Lifeboat deploying two crew members ashore with their stretcher with the team assisting in getting the casualty ready for treatment.

Given the treacherous terrain, Largs Lifeboat successfully navigated into a suitable position along the rocks to extract the casualty to the nearby marina. This was achieved with two team members being deployed into the water in full water rescue equipment and all personnel on scene assisting in extracting the casualty over and down the rocks to the awaiting boat. 

Team members have then remained on Largs Lifeboat to assist the casualty being moved from the lifeboat to an awaiting ambulance within the marina, with the Greenock Coastguard Rescue Team also attending directly to the marina to assist.

The casualty was thereafter conveyed by ambulance to hospital.

A spokesperson for the Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team said: "Last night's rescue highlights the excellent multi-agency working between all of the emergency services utilising a wide range of specialist skill sets to assist in challenging conditions and terrain. 

"The operational capabilities of the lifeboat greatly assisted in the smooth extraction of the injured female to ensure she was transferred into the care of the ambulance service as quickly as possible." 

Coastguard Rescue Teams regularly train with partner agencies including lifeboats to prepare for such incidents.