A woman in her 50s has tragically lost her life after being swept out to sea whilst walking her dog along the revetment between Sandown and Shanklin.
As previously reported by Island Echo, a major emergency service operation involving police, paramedics, Coastguard Rescue Teams, a lifeboat and the Coastguard Rescue helicopter was launched at just gone 11:15 this morning (Monday) after concerns for the welfare of a woman were raised.
Island Echo understands the casualty had been walking her dog along the coastal walkway when she was suddenly swept into the sea by a wave amid ferocious conditions.
A rendezvous point was established on the Esplanade, outside the Napoleon’s Landing apartment building, as frantic efforts to locate the woman got underway.
Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 375 was scrambled from its base at Lee-on-Solent, carrying out an aerial search of the waters off Sandown and Lake, whilst Bembridge RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat also joined the operation.
Police closed the Sandown to Shanklin revetment, with a cordon erected at the end of Sandown Esplanade to prevent members of the public from accessing the coastal walkway.
Tragically, the woman’s body was recovered from the water to the south of Sandown Pier shortly after midday following the large-scale search and rescue operation.
Her next of kin have been updated and a file will now be prepared for the coroner.
The fatality comes just days after Storm Austen and Storm Boelo brought severe weather to parts of the UK.
The dangers of the Isle of Wight’s coastline have been brought into sharp focus following a weekend of stormy weather, with large waves and strong winds continuing to pose a risk even after the worst of the storms have passed.
The Isle of Wight Council has this afternoon issued a coastal safety warning, urging residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution around the Island’s beaches, sea walls and exposed coastal paths.
People are being urged to keep well back from sea walls, slipways, cliff edges and exposed coastal paths, whilst dog walkers are specifically being advised to keep their pets on leads.
The Council has also warned people never to turn their backs on the sea and to avoid walking or taking photographs near rough water, stressing that anyone who can feel sea spray is standing too close.
Residents and visitors are being reminded to check weather forecasts and tide times before venturing onto the coastline, with anyone witnessing a person in difficulty at sea urged to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
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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