VIDEO: A man threatening to end his life by swimming out into the Solent has been detained by Police this evening (Thursday) and rushed to St Mary’s Hospital.
The man is understood to have said that he wanted to end his life prompting an immediate Police response. At around 18:00, the man entered the water near to Ryde Harbour and began swimming out to sea before heading towards the Wightlink catamaran.
Coastguard Rescue Teams from Ryde and Bembridge were called to the scene alongside both Ryde Rescue 1 and Ryde Rescue 2 lifeboats, who tried to talk with the man and get him on board the RIB.
After being in the ice cold waters for over an hour, the unnamed gentleman began to swim under the large Wightlink catamaran docked at Ryde Pier sparking lifeboat crew members to make all efforts to bring the man on board the lifeboat as soon as possible – he was pulled onto the deck for his own safety and rushed into the nearby harbour where paramedics and Police took over.
Under Police escort, the ambulance has rushed the detained man to St Mary’s Hospital in Newport. It is currently unclear if the suicidal male has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
The family of the gentleman involved were at the scene.
The incident has now been closed.
