A large-scale, multi-agency search is underway north of East Cowes tonight (Friday) with 3 lifeboats and a rescue helicopter in the area.
HM Coastguard was alerted to an incident developing in East Cowes at around 22:30 which has led to the tasking of Cowes RNLI Inshore Lifeboat, Bembridge RNLI Inshore Lifeboat, Bembridge RNLI All Weather Lifeboat, Rescue 175 helicopter and multiple local Coastguard Rescue Teams.
The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service and Police are also on scene at East Cowes Esplanade.
The Coastguard helicopter from Lee-on-Solent is currently searching near Old Castle Point, whilst all 3 RNLI lifeboats are carrying out a search around the coastline working to locate a potential person in the water.
UPDATE 23:55 – A number of para flares are being fired into the air by one of the lifeboats in the hope of illuminating the area to assist in locating any casualties in the water.
Red Funnel’s car ferry, the Red Eagle, is assisting by using their searchlights from the ferry as they approach the dock at East Cowes.
UPDATE 00:15 – All resources have been stood down from the incident, with crews returning to their home stations.
UPDATE SATURDAY – It has been confirmed that the incident began when a woman in a very exhausted state was helped out of the water at East Cowes by an off-duty paramedic.
With fears she was not alone and another person was in the water, the search and rescue operation was launched. This was supported by items found on the beach.
However, it transpired at just gone midnight that she was in fact alone at the Esplanade.
The casualty was taken by land ambulance to St Mary’s Hospital, Newport.
A male, who is thought to have fallen and hit his head in unrelated circumstances, was also taken to hospital after being located by Coastguards involved in the missing swimmer search.
Yea and ,..well….what happened …?
Well done to all our emergency services and all involved. Sorry but if this was not an a accident but a individual swimming at that time of night then they should be made to pay. This is not a free service for idiots.
Totally Agree.What a selfish individual.Prob had one to many and decided to go skinny dipping. It cost £5000 + for the helicopter to be launched. Let alone lifeboats .And for the crew it’s charity based.
It free if you come over from Calais. I understand it’s a taxi service.
It’s got to be asked. Had a member of public who’s job was not connected to an emergency service pulled this person out of the water, would the large scale response of been the same ?!
At a guess I’d say this person was other than coherent, which appears the norm of people getting into to trouble around the castle point area! Seems a very costly response triggered by someone who clearly couldn’t say, “ I was swimming alone & got out of breath, what a fool I am”. Together with an overzealous rescuer.