When a well-known Scarborough man ended up in the dark surf last Winter, the community did everything they could to help him -and his memory- live on

In the early evening of Sunday 22 February, Andrew McGeown (32) did what he usually did at this time of day- take Arnold, his 2-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, for a walk by the Spa on Scarborough's South Bay. What happened next sparked a train of events that would severely test the crew of Scarborough's inshore lifeboat, and would become a defining moment for this close-knit seaside community.

As they made their way along the prom, Arnold, who'd been running off his lead, vanished over the sea wall. Instinctively, Andrew went in after his dog. A spring tide and 2m swell were sending waves crashing over the prom, making it all but impossible to climb back up. The conditions meant he couldn't be reached from the shore either. Andrew was now in real danger.

The launch
The 999 call came in to the Coastguard shortly before 6pm prompting a priority launch message for the crew of Scarborough's inshore lifeboat. At 6.10pm, Senior Helm Rudi Barman and Crew Members Craig Burnett and Adam Beston were kitted up and on their way. As they emerged from the harbour into the teeth of a force 7 near gale, they still didn't know how many people were in the water.

Minutes later, the crew were on scene, and only then did the true scale of the problem hit them. It was 20 minutes before high tide and waves were smashing into the sea wall and rebounding to create a seething cauldron of water and foam. 'We were being battered,' recalls Rudi, who skilfully manoeuvred the lifeboat- an inflatable D class designed for rescues in surf- as close to the wall as he dared go. But in the blackness there was no sign of Andrew.

A difficult manoeuvre
The backwash from the ground swell made it impossible to veer down - a technique where the lifeboat anchors and then approaches the shore stern first. This would have put them at the mercy of incoming waves and in danger of capsize: 'We were being hit from all directions,' says Rudi. 'We didn't want to be tethered to a rope when we knew we maybe had to escape.' Guided by signals from the shore, Rudi repositioned and reversed in a second time, head to sea. With the waves rolling in off the North Sea four or five at a time, it took. exceptional boathandling skills to power through the waves as they broke to avoid being slammed into the wall 'The wave sets were followed by a 2-3 minute lull which allowed us time to go into the impact zone and have a good look for Andrew. Each time a new set of waves came in we had to retreat out past the surf.'

On their next approach Rudi glimpsed the casualty pinned against the sea wall, face down in the water. 'It didn't look good to be honest,' says Rudi, 'Although the D class can get into all sorts of nooks and crannies, I knew I couldn't get the boat into that position.' As the next set of waves came in Andrew disappeared from view.

The crew repeated this same difficult manoeuvre time and time again, working the boat hard, moving systematically along the shoreline, north to south. Shouting to each other to make themselves heard over the din of the engine, wind and waves, they worked as a team - Rudi controlling the boat, Adam scouring the sea behind them for signs of Andrew, and Craig keeping a vigilant look out for the next wave while running radio communications with the shore. 'We couldn't see the waves until seconds before they were on top of us,' explains Rudi, 'So we really had to be on our game.'

Then their engine stalled. Rudi admits: 'It was the scariest thing. It felt like minutes, but it was only seconds.' I screamed: "Look guys, the engine's gone on us, we could be swimming here." I checked we were in neutral and hit the green restart button, and luckily it just sprang into life and we were off again.'

A calculated risk
The arrival of the Sea King helicopter from RAF Leconfield proved a turning point. While the helicopter covered the area adjacent to the sea wall, the crew of the lifeboat switched to a parallel shoreline search to widen the search area. This was a calculated risk. It made them vulnerable to the incoming waves but, because they were now moving, the boat was more stable. On one of these passes, Adam picked out the glow of the casualty's reflective belt in the water off to their port side.

Rudi realised that the quickest and safest way of getting Andrew to the shore was in the lifeboat. 'It would take all three of us to heave him into the boat but I couldn't risk letting go of the tiller.' With Adam and Craig clinging on to Andrew's clothing, Rudi carefully steered them into calmer water. They lifted the casualty aboard. He wasn't breathing. Craig-a trained paramedic -began chest compressions while the lifeboat headed for shore.

Once ashore, the lifeboat volunteers continued with resuscitation attempts until the ambulance arrived, aided by the waiting shore crew-some of whom were dose friends of Andrew. They did all they could but, sadly, he was beyond help.

Gallantry and loss
For his leadership, boathandling skills and bravery, Helm Rudi Barman is awarded the RNLI's Bronze Medal (see page 15 to read more from Rudi). An RNLI letter of Thanks from the Chairman goes to Crew Members Craig Burnett and Adam Beston, for their teamwork, courage and perseverance. Dr Peter Billingsley and Jason Hedges also receive a Letter of Appreciation from the RNLI's Operations Director for their contribution to the resuscitation efforts ashore.

Andrew's family now look after his dog, which survived. They have been instrumental in setting up a fundraising branch dedicated to making the seaside at Scarborough a safer place for everyone.

Words: Robin Westcott
Photos: RNLI/(Nathan Williams. Rudi Barman)

'The most difficult rescue I've been on'

I don't think anything can ever prepare you for a rescue like that. The fact we managed to get him made it a little bit easier for us to deal with.

It was the most difficult rescue I've been on. But it's something we train for day in, day out. To be recognised with an award like this is a great honour. It's not just me. There are many different wheels that work in this station down to the people who have trained me and the crew over the years. It's not a one-person thing by any means.

One message I'd be very keen to promote is just be aware of the conditions, particularly spring tides, high tides, with any swell.

If you are around the shoreline, keep your dog on a lead. And if your dog does get into difficulty then call us, don't just jump in and try to save it. Dogs are pretty tough swimmers and they can deal with the cold better than we can.

RUDI BARMAN

SENIOR HELM | TOURIST ATTRACTION MANAGER

RNLI BRONZE MEDAL

'What happened has been life-changing'

I was at home getting the kids ready for bed. I heard the helicopter go over my house, and I said to the kids - because you could hear the weather - 'I'm glad we're inside'. When I think about it now, it's a bit daft really because I must have known - partly - that it was Andrew.

Hundreds of people turned up to walk Andrew to the funeral. It was sad but it was probably the funniest funeral that anyone's been to. I don't know another one that's had a face painter and bouncy castle. Andrew was a big fan of fancy dress. One of his cousins came in a Woody costume (from the film Toy Story) - it had 'Andy' on the sole of his foot.

What's happened to Andrew has been life-changing for us. But if we can raise enough money to help other families - even if it's making children aware, adults, families who come to the seaside, people who live here, anything. If people say that's the Andrew McGeown legacy - that's what it brought to this town - I'd love that. That's all that we want - a better, safer place.

DONNA LOVELAND

ANDREW'S SISTER | FUNDRAISER

'They did all they could'

On a night like that, and in that type of weather, the area around the Spa is a very unforgiving place. It was amazing they managed to find the casualty at all - it was pitch black. At one point the lifeboat was trapped behind two waves, 15ft high. The boat handling was second to none.

It was the whole package - the search, the recovery and the casualty care. The crew did all they could to save him. They must have been exhausted. There's nothing more they could have done.

JOHN PEARSON

FORMER SENIOR HELM

EYEWITNESS