Police are today (Wednesday) appealing for witnesses to come forward with any photographs or video of a popular Ryde beach leading up to the rescue of an 8-year-old boy on Saturday.
Hampshire Constabulary was one of several emergency services called to Appley Beach shortly before 18:00 on Saturday afternoon when an 8-year-old boy was pulled from the sea by lifeboat crew members following reports of two persons in the water, as first reported by Island Echo.
The young Island boy, who has not been named, received CPR both on board Ryde Inshore Rescue’s lifeboat and on the beach before being airlifted to St Mary’s Hospital in Newport by Coastguard Rescue 104 helicopter.
The innocent 8-year-old remains in a critical condition in Southampton General Hospital today, according to a Police spokesperson. Due to the serious nature of the incident, detectives are leading enquiries into the full circumstances surrounding what happened on Ryde seafront.
On Sunday evening Police returned to the area and gathered aerial photographs of the beach and recorded the speed of the tide.
No further information has been released about the boy’s condition.
Specialist family liaison officers remain in contact with the boy’s immediate relatives to ensure they are supported at this difficult time.
Detective Inspector Adam Price from Hampshire Constabulary said:
“Firstly, we’d like to express our thanks to the Isle of Wight NHS Trust, particularly its Ambulance service and emergency department, HM Coastguard, Ryde Inshore Rescue and members of the public for their actions during the emergency and their assistance with our investigation so far.
“I am appealing for more witnesses, particularly any members of the public who took photos and videos on Appley beach between 1pm and 6pm on Saturday, June 21.
“There were Armed Forces Day celebrations taking place in Ryde, and a band was playing near the Appley beach café during these times.
“Therefore, we believe people would have taken pictures or videos that can help us with enquiries into exactly what happened to the boy. I am also interested in anyone who took pictures or videos of the band and surrounding area.”
Anyone with photographs or video is asked to email them to [email protected]. Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact police by phoning 101.
