A woman has died after being pulled from the sea in East Cowes during a major air, land and sea search to find her.
Hampshire Constabulary has confirmed that the woman, aged in her 40s, was located in the water off the Esplanade near Castle Point at around 00:20 – just hours after she was reported missing from her home in East Cowes.
Sadly, despite the best efforts of medics, she was pronounced dead upon arrival at St Mary’s Hospital.
As previously reported by Island Echo, Police, WightSAR, HM Coastguard, Cowes RNLI, National Police Air Service, the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service were all involved in last night’s search in the East Cowes, Osborne and Whippingham areas.
The multi-agency operation – one of the largest in recent years – began shortly before 21:50 and was ramped up by 22:40 with a greater number of resources drafted in. The woman is said to have gone missing at 16:00.
A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary has told Island Echo:
“Officers, along with assistance from other emergency services, had been searching the area for several hours following reports that a woman in her 40s had gone missing from East Cowes.
“It has since been confirmed that the woman in the sea was unfortunately the missing person. Her family have been made aware.
Article continues below this advertisement “The death is not being treated as suspicious”.
Emergency teams stood down from the incident by 01:00.
Very sad news. Thoughts with her friends and family
Such a sad outcome.
Sincere condolences to her family and friends .
RIP .
Condolences. Most unfortunate. RIP.
Such sad news. RIP. Condolences to all family friends and thoughts to all the services involved.
So sad and so young .
Sad news, may she rest in peace and sincere condolences to her family.