A MEDICAL emergency at one of Hinkley Point C's offshore vessels prompted a response from the RNLI among other emergency services.

At 00.28am, on Wednesday, April 24 Burnham-on-Sea RNLI were called to support a rescue helicopter assisting with a 'casualty evacuation'.

The casualty was suffering from chest pains, and coastguard helicopter Rescue 187 had been tasked to the incident, to be supported by RNLI volunteers from both Burnham-on-Sea and Barry Dock, in Wales.

The lifeboats were on scene to transfer the casualty to the helicopter in case it was unable to land a winch man onto the Hinkley Point vessel where the casualty was located.

Luckily, this was not necessary, and upon recovery from the barge, the casualty was air lifted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol.

Burnham-on-Sea RNLI Helmsman Nick Prout said: "We quickly launched and made way to Hinkley Point exclusion zone, where a drop barge working rig had a medical emergency.

"Visibility was good and we were able to stand bye in case of problems with the casualty transfer."

Launch Authority Marc Smith added: "Upon our return to Burnham, we undertook a low water recovery, excellently executed by the Head Launcher, drivers and shore team.

"Of course it was a very muddy recovery and our volunteers eventually returned home at around 3.30 am, after washing off all our kit and returning the lifeboat to service."