Red Hawk Rising

checked his tongue and mouth, then lay him on his back to start resuscitation. After a minute there was a cough and water came out of Jamie’s mouth. The two men grinned to each other and turned Jamie to allow the sea-water to drain out of his lungs. There were further coughs but Jamie remained unconscious. However, his pulse grew stronger. Yvonne looked anxiously on, shivering with the cold. One of the fishermen said to her, “You go on home and get out of those wet things. We’ll look after things here until the ambulance comes.” Yvonne nodded her assent and headed for home before she froze. The men made a temporary stretcher and carried Jamie into the nearest shed for protection from the weather. From the preliminary examination it was clear that his right shoulder bone was broken. They strapped his arm across his chest and then wrapped him in a blanket. One of the ladies went home and filled two hot water bottles which were put each side of him under the blanket to help to keep him warm. Then they had to wait for the ambulance to come from Louth.

Surprisingly, they heard the ambulance bell much sooner than they had expected. As it came through the village and turned to the harbour, they saw that it was a RAF ambulance. The vehicle drew up and a doctor and nurse jumped out. Seeing the surprised look of the locals, the doctor said that the Louth hospital had called the RAF base because it was much closer and could get to the sick person sooner. He went across and pulled the blanket back and checked Jamie’s pulse. Then he asked the fishermen questions about the incident as he checked Jamie physically for injuries. “I congratulate you men. You’ve done a good job in saving this man’s life and making him comfortable. It’s a pity that he’s still unconscious. Do you know who he is?” asked the doctor.

“Yes, he works at the pub in West Sanby village but he’s not a local,” said one of the fishermen.

“Fine,” said the doctor, “we’ll take him to our sick quarters now at RAF West Sanby and see about transferring him to Louth or Grimsby hospital.” As he finished speaking, a police car arrived and a sergeant and constable got out. The doctor explained the situation to him and the extent of the injuries.

“Thanks, doctor,” said the sergeant. “You’d better get him to your sick quarters and we’ll get a statement from you later.” Then the sergeant turned to the locals and asked who were the witnesses. Meanwhile, Jamie was transferred to a stretcher and put into the ambulance. The nurse climbed in to stay with him. As they closed the doors of the ambulance, Yvonne came back round the corner and broke into a run to the scene. She had a thick seaman’s sweater on and slacks and was holding a towel where she had been drying her hair as she walked back to the harbour. The doctor saw her as he was about to get into the cab and paused.

Seeing this, one of the fishermen said, “Here’s Yvonne. She saw him floating in the harbour and dived in to get him.”

“Then I’d better check her out before we leave,” said the doctor. He walked round the front of the ambulance towards Yvonne and asked her to let him check her.

“What’s happening with Jamie?” she asked.

“We’re taking him to the RAF sick quarters initially since it is closer. Now, let me check your pulse. How are you feeling?” asked the doctor.

Yvonne put her arm out and pulled a sleeve up. “I’m fine. I’m dried and changed. I’ll have a hot bath later,” she said.

“H’m,” muttered the doctor. “You seem okay. We’d better get going. I suggest you go and see your doctor if you feel flushed or get a temperature.” She nodded and he turned away and climbed into the cab of the ambulance. It then drove off.

“Well, you’re a bit of a heroine, young lady,” the police sergeant said to Yvonne. “I’ll need a statement from you. Are you warm enough?” Yvonne nodded. “Go back to the shop and finish drying your hair out of this wind. You’d better make yourself a mug of tea and get your insides warmed up. Then I’ll come up and see you,” said the sergeant with a kindly smile.

“Thanks, sergeant,” said Yvonne, “I’ll have a hot drink ready for you and the constable.” He smiled his appreciation and Yvonne walked off.

The sergeant then turned to his constable who was taking down the statements of the two fishermen and said, “Constable, when you have finished taking those statements, go up to the shop and get the young lady’s statement. I’m going to take a walk round and I’ll see you in the shop.” The constable nodded his agreement and kept writing. The sergeant walked down to the harbour’s edge and followed it round. Seeing the lane behind the sheds, he walked up it towards the cold store entrance. As he walked he noticed the broken crab pot and paused to inspect it. The broken edges of the timber were fresh and he wondered about that. There was no evidence of a struggle, blood or anything else. He looked further up the lane but couldn’t find anything else. Turning towards the retaining wall that kept the sand back, the sergeant saw a footprint in the sand that had been blown onto the top of the wall. He jumped up onto the retaining wall to one side of the footprint and noticed depressions in the dry sand but with the wind blowing and filling them in they could be old. He walked up the dune and looked along the beach but couldn’t see anyone. The sergeant walked back looking thoughtful. The smashed shoulder and mark on the side of the head could have been the result