Four people were injured during a punk music event on Cramond Island in Edinburgh – a hotspot for emergency calls.
Volunteer RNLI crews and the coastguard were initially scrambled after a woman suffered a leg injury on the island and found herself cut off by the tide from the mainland.
While making plans for the woman to be collected by air ambulance, RNLI crews identified three further casualties, including one person who had “fallen from height”.
All four casualties were treated, with two being directly transported to hospital.
RNLI Lifeboat and Coastguard crews arrived at the island just before 4:30pm, and, after some difficulty tracking her down, found the first woman on a rocky slope with a suspected lower leg fracture.
They decided that – due to the difficult location and the extent of her injuries – the best course would be to transport her to hospital by helicopter.
In a statement, a spokesperson from RNLI Queensferry said: “The casualty was in a lot of pain and after a first aid assessment it was found that she was suffering from a suspected lower leg fracture.
“The crew on scene administered pain relief and reassured the casualty.”
While the woman was being attended to, reports of another injured person sent lifeboat crews searching again.
They added: “As plans were being made for evacuation, reports of a further casualty came through who was on another part of Cramond Island and was unconscious but breathing.
“The lifeboat crew made sure the first casualty was stable and comfortable, before heading to deal with the further casualty.
“Again, due to the number of people on the island locating the second casualty proved tricky. However, once located, our volunteers undertook a casualty assessment.”
The casualty eventually came around after oxygen was administered and they were conveyed to a waiting ambulance on the shore.
While awaiting the helicopter for the first casualty, another person with a head injury was treated by ambulance crews before it was decided they did not require further medical assistance.
Another casualty who had fallen from height presented themselves as emergency services were leaving. They were treated and advised to attend A&E when possible.
Organisers’ safety arrangements for the event have not been confirmed, and Cramond Island remains a frequent location for Coastguard and RNLI callouts.
In July this year, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) responded to a large grass fire on the island, and between 2008 and 2013, RNLI Queensferry launched to Cramond 178 times.
The organisers of “Cramond Island of Punk” have been contacted for comment.
RNLI Queensferry described the response as “a great example of a multi-agency incident, where lifeboat crew, coastguard, SORT (Scottish Ambulance Service Special Operations Response Team), ambulance, police and coastguard helicopter teams worked together”.
All Coastguard, RNLI, Police, and ambulance crews were stood down at 8pm.
A spokesperson for the Coastguard said “it was clear to the crew that there was an event taking place at the location” but did not comment on the event itself.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Ambulance Service: “We received a call at 16:15 on Saturday 29 August to attend an incident on Crammond Island, Edinburgh.
“We dispatched one ambulance and three special operations response teams (SORT) to the scene. We transported one patient to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.”
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