A man has been airlifted to the mainland with potentially life-changing injuries after a trip to the seaside ended in disaster last night (Wednesday).
It was shortly before 22:20 that the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service responded to reports of a man who had sustained serious injuries on the beach at Bembridge.
The casualty had been climbing a pole on top of a groyne when it suddenly snapped, causing him to fall up to 20ft onto the concrete below.
It is understood the man, who was accompanied by a friend, had been attempting to pose for a photograph at the time of the incident.
Multiple ambulance resources were mobilised, with HM Coastguard called in to assist due to the remote location of the incident.
Coastguard Rescue Officers from both Bembridge and Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Teams were mobilised to the stretch of coastline between The Point and Lane End, where they helped package the casualty before carrying him to the awaiting ambulance some distance away.
Due to the severity of his injuries – believed to include serious head and spinal trauma – the casualty was airlifted from St Mary’s Hospital to Lee-on-Solent by the Coastguard Rescue helicopter at around 05:30 this morning.
He has since been transferred to Southampton’s Major Trauma Centre, where he is receiving specialist treatment.
If you or someone else is in difficulty on the coast or at sea, or if you spot what you think may be unexploded ordnance, then dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Further safety information can be found at https://coastguardsafety.campaign.gov.uk/.
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what3words have divided the world into 3m squares and given each square a unique combination of three words, which means when you are in a remote area of the Isle of Wight you can get assistance much quicker without the need for local knowledge.
Why wait 7 hours to fly him to a trauma centre if he had head and spine damage, it’s not like St Mary’s could have fixed that, he should have been airlifted straight away, i thought time was critical with trauma patients…..
Such incidents make me angry.
The NHS have huge waiting lists and then because
of a persons stupidity it takes up an hospital bed and
possibly an intensive care bed that a person may
need who is recovering from an operation.
Not to mention the use of an operating theatre and
Surgeons time.
Charges need to be billed to such selfish inconsiderate
individuals, it may sound harsh but it is true.
All around the country even the world so many unnesseccary
accidents are caused day in day out.
Stupid is as stupid does. A typical testosteronial moment.