Coastguard Rescue 175 helicopter has landed on the green beside Bembridge RNLI lifeboat station this evening (Wednesday) to airlift an injured sailor to hospital.
The incident began around 17:15 when a Mayday call was issued by a 22m sailing yacht with 18 people on board after a crew member fell, became concussed and had possibly suffered a neck injury around 2 miles off the Isle of Wight.
Solent Coastguard requested the launch of Bembridge RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat, which hit the water in good time and made best speed to Sandown Bay to rendezvous with the vessel.
The injured woman was safely transferred from the yacht to the lifeboat in choppy conditions before being conveyed to Bembridge RNLI’s offshore boathouse at Lane End by the volunteer crew.
Paramedics on board the Coastguard helicopter are now assessing the casualty to ascertain whether they are well enough to fly.
UPDATE @ 20:20 – The female casualty’s injuries are not as serious as first thought. She has now made her own way to St Mary’s Hospital in a taxi for a check up.
Coastguard Rescue 175 has taken off from the scene at Bembridge and returned to base at Lee-on-Solent. All other resources have now stood down and the lifeboat is rehoused and ready for the next emergency call.
wow I was at the beach as well