UPDATED: SWIMMERS IN DISTRESS PROMPTS MULTI-AGENCY SEARCH AT RYDE PIER

Concerns for a number of swimmers reported to be in distress in the vicinity of Ryde Pier has led to a multi-agency response this afternoon (Saturday). Solent Coastguard is coordinating a large scale search and rescue operation on the Esplanade following reports of 2 or 3 people in difficulty in the water. Island Echo understands Police were initially called by members of the public, with HM Coastguard then informed of the situation. Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team and Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team are on scene alongside Bembridge RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat. The lifeboat’s daughter craft, the Y Boat, has been deployed to search underneath the pier structure. Meanwhile, Coastguard Rescue Officers are searching the nearby shoreline and the length of the pier. Ryde Beach Lifeguards have also responded to the emergency. UPDATE @ 15:48 – Coastguard Rescue 175 helicopter from Lee-on-Solent has joined the search efforts, with the Senior Coastal Operations Office also deployed to coordinate the response from the ground.   Large crowds have gathered at the seaside to watch the ongoing search and rescue efforts. UPDATE @ 16:12 – HM Coastguard is continuing efforts to locate any possible casualties in the water, but nothing has been located so far after more than an hour of searching. UPDATE @ 18:35 – The search has been stood down, without any persons being located.