Humane Society awards for crew members Hunstanton - East Division Two members of Hunstanton's lifeboat crew have received Royal Humane Society awards for rescuing a windsurfer - with the station's launching tractor.

The incident took place on 29 December 1987, and the awards were announced this August.

The first report of a windsurfer in trouble off Old Hunstanton came at 1230, but the message from Great Yarmouth Coastguard was that the casualty was making his own way ashore.

The station's tractor driver, John Connors, saw a white flare fired by Hunstanton's Coastguard mobile and went to the boathouse followed by Victor Dade, who had heard the incident on his scanner, and Alan Clarke.

Rocket The Coastguard had fired a rocket line, but it had fallen short and the windsurfer was unable to reach it. His head was just visible about 80 yards off the beach in the 3ft to 4ft seas kicked up by a SSW Force 5 wind, with the NNE-running ebb beginning.

The wind and tide were taking the casualty out to sea, and it was now obvious that he would not be able to get ashore unaided, so it was decided the quickest way to provide help was to unhitch the Atlantic 21 and use the tractor to get as close as possible to the casualty.

With John Connors driving, and Victor Dade and Alan Clarke in dry-suits riding on it, the tractor was driven into the water until the wheels were covered, and the two men set off to swim out to the windsurfer.

Cramp Victor Dade could not make it all the way, but Alan Clarke was able to swim out to the casualty and begin to tow him ashore. Although suffering from cramp in both legs and a bleeding nose he would not release his hold on his board, and so Alan Clarke had to tow that ashore with him. Victor Dade helped the two through the surf and the casualty was taken to the boathouse.

The Royal Humane Society has awarded Alan Clarke its Testimonial on Vellum and Victor Dade its Certificate of Commendation for their rescue..