Search operations are underway after an aircraft Mayday call was received in the skies above the Isle of Wight earlier today (Wednesday).
It was shortly before 11:00 that the alert was raised, prompting the tasking of Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 375 from its Lee-on-Solent base.
The helicopter carried out a thorough aerial sweep of the Isle of Wight, focusing particularly on the South and West Wight areas.
After around 2 hours in the air, the aircraft briefly returned to its mainland base to refuel before resuming the search.
Having covered the length and breadth of the Isle of Wight, the helicopter stood down at around 15:00, before a HM Coastguard plane – scrambled from Humberside Airport in Lincolnshire – took over.
HM Coastguard remain in the skies and are currently searching off the coast of The Needles.
So where’s the plan that made the mayday call? Hope it’s not gone back to base and not notified the rescue team that have been looking for it?
Funny looking helicopter.
Read the article properly! The plane took over when the helicopter was stood down.
Most likely the second aircraft mickey in that area in the last few weeks.
Migrants coming by plane now