UPDATED: COASTGUARD HELICOPTER LANDS ON BEACH TO ASSIST UNWELL MALE OUTSIDE HOTEL

A Coastguard Rescue helicopter has landed on the beach in Sandown this afternoon (Sunday) in response to a medical emergency at a seafront hotel. A male is understood to have been taken seriously ill outside Oyo Hotel on Culver Parade, with medical assistance being provided by local Coastguard Rescue Teams. The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service is not in attendance – thought to be due to a lack of available ambulances and other local emergencies – so, due to the severity of the situation, the assistance of Coastguard Rescue 175 from Lee-on-Solent has been called for. The distinctive red and white helicopter has touched down on the sands opposite the hotel in the last 10 minutes. It not only carries a paramedic on board, but has the ability to fly the patient directly to hospital. UPDATE @ 15:57 – The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service now has a single paramedic crew in attendance, who, working alongside the Coastguard Rescue helicopter paramedics, are assessing the patient. UPDATE @ 16:20 – The patient has been conveyed by land ambulance to St Mary’s Hospital. Coastguard rescues have now stood down from the incident, with the helicopter lifting off from the beach.