THERE were dramatic scenes on the outskirts of Watchet last weekend as a rescue helicopter was called in to help with the ‘evacuation of casualties’ from an emergency incident.

The HM Coastguard Search and Rescue Team was joined by members of Avon and Somerset’s Special Constabulary along with the Coastguard’s rescue helicopter from Portland in Dorset.

Thankfully, the ‘incident’ was staged and was an exercise to help train crew members with the loading of casualties on stretchers on to helicopters.

The exercise was based at Warren Farm with a helicopter landing site created for both daylight and night-time operations.

Guided in both by hand signal and radio communications, the helicopter safely landed.

The coastguards and Special Constables then practised loading and unloading casualties in stretchers on to the aircraft.

The helicopter took off again and maintained a hover over the field allowing a winchman to be lowered down under the guidance of the officers on a hi-line several times.

This technique assists the winchman and stretcher to be guided into restricted locations such as against cliff faces, or onto a boat or ship avoiding masts and cables and prevents the winchman being spun around.

Coastguard rescue officer Simon Bale said: “Practice with the aircraft in a live environment allowed the new coastguard rescue officers in the team and local Special Constables to experience the considerable power and downwash of the aircraft when dealing with a live incident.

“It provided them with an opportunity to understand the care required when approaching and transporting a casualty on to the aircraft and how to prepare for its arrival at day or night.

“Our coastguards have worked with this particular aircraft on several occasions in the West Somerset area and so it was excellent to be able to practise with the crew.”