Tourist who broke wrist on St Bees beach slipway calls for action

Barbara Hudson, 68, had been staying in St Bees with a friend, when she attempted to get onto the beach via the slipway.

Mrs Hudson, who lives in Cheshire, said she would have been left on the slipway for five and a half hours waiting for an ambulance, if St Bees RNLI had not intervened.

She said: “I’m in a lot of pain. It was a tremendous shock. I’ve never fallen like that anywhere. It’s the first time I’ve ever broken a bone.

“The RNLI were absolutely wonderful and so was the lady who stopped to help me. She was ringing for an ambulance but it was a five and a half hour wait.

“I was actually on the slipway and couldn’t be moved. I had walking boots on and had no grip whatsoever. I couldn’t be moved from under my arms and had to be stretchered off the slipway.

“They took me into the lifeboat station and gave me pain relief and I don’t really remember much after that. I remember coming to and I was in the A&E at West Cumberland Hospital.”

The slipway at St Bees beach (Image: Google Street View)

Steps which used to provide pedestrian access to the beach have been removed and Mrs Hudson wants them to be reinstated to avoid any further accidents.

She said: “I don’t want to see it happen to anyone else. I think the steps should be reinstated or there should be a sign which says this slipway is very slippery.

“I would have been on the slipway for five and a half hours. If there had been an emergency with the lifeboat, I was in the way.

“It was very upsetting. I’ve got the repercussions of this now because I can’t drive for eight weeks. I can’t use my left arm which is very frustrating as I’m normally really active.

“Apart from the pain, it’s been extremely inconvenient. I feel like a helpless old lady.

“I think the council should re-examine the situation at St Bees.”

Mrs Hudson’s friend, Lorraine Blake, who is originally from the village, said: “There used to be two sets of stairs with handrails and they’ve both gone. Now you have to either go down that slipway, or there’s another one. There’s no handrail at all.

“When the concrete is wet, it’s treacherous. It’s such a popular beach, they just need to put some concrete steps in with a metal handrail.”

READ NEXT: Post-Medieval coin hoard found in St Bees declared as treasure

Jane Donaldson, clerk for St Bees Parish Council, said: “There were some steps which used to lead down onto the beach but they were taken away around four years ago because they were in a poor condition and were a safety issue. There is a small ramp and the lifeboat ramp.

“The parish council has asked on a few occasions if Copeland could look at improving the access.”

An RNLI spokesperson said: “Our RNLI volunteers were pleased that they were able to use their casualty care training to assist a person who had fallen on the ramp near St Bees Lifeboat station. We hope they have a full and swift recovery.”

Graham Minshaw, who represents Egremont North and St Bees on Cumberland Council, said: "I am very concerned by this recent incident on St Bees promenade.

"I have immediately begun to consult with local bodies and to investigate this incident, to be able to both find the causes, responsibilities and to ensure any solutions necessary can be found.  

"With the holiday season upon us it is vitally important that we have a safe and suitable access to the popular beach area at St Bees.

"I wish the lady a speedy recovery and hope to see her back again soon."

A spokesperson for Cumberland Council said: "We are sorry to hear of the incident on the slipway to St Bees beach.

"We are investigating the matter as a priority.

"We encourage the public to take great care when accessing the beach, and do so at their own risk, as the ground can become slippery due to seaweed and other obstacles brought in by the tide."