Family of drowned fisherman donate lifejackets to rescuers

Richard Milnes was fishing with his brother-in-law Keith Ellerby at the South Gare, near Redcar, when a huge wave swept Mr Ellerby into the sea.

After a major rescue effort involving Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboats from Redcar and Hartlepool, Mr Ellerby, who worked for the NHS in York, was airlifted to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough where he later died.

Mr Ellerby’s family, friends and colleagues have now raised £1,570 to pay for new state-of-the-art lifejackets that will soon be issued to the volunteer crew at Redcar.

The RNLI announced that lifeboat crews across the north of England will receive the new, state-of-the-art lifejackets this year, at an average cost of £3,000 per station.

Dave Cocks, of Redcar Lifeboat, which has been operating since 1802, said: “It was such a tragic event, so for people to be generous enough to think about fundraising for the RNLI in those circumstances is very humbling.

“We are extremely grateful.

“The money has gone straight towards buying the latest design of lifejackets for our volunteers.”

Mr Ellerby died following the accident on October 24 last year.

Mr Milnes, 63, said the money raised came from a charity evening held at the York District Hospital social club.

“It could buy equipment which helps them pull someone from the water alive,” he said.