WOMAN WITH INJURED LEG RESCUED FROM MID-RIVER PONTOON

A woman suffering from a leg injury on a pontoon in the middle of the River Medina had to be rescued by emergency services last night (Wednesday). During a training exercise in the local area, Cowes RNLI was tasked by Solent Coastguard to make best speed to The Folly at Whippingham following reports of an injured individual requiring assistance. It had been reported to HM Coastguard that the casualty was on a mid-river pontoon off The Folly with a leg injury. The lifeboat duly left the Solent to proceed up the River Medina. At the pontoon, in fading light, the lifeboat’s volunteer crew worked to transfer the woman to the nearby Folly pontoon where she was received by Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team and the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service. The casualty was transferred into the awaiting ambulance for onward conveyance to St Mary’s Hospital. The lifeboat, which launched for training at 17:00, was away from the station for over 3 hours. It’s set to be a busy few days for the Coastguard and its volunteers with the Isle of Wight Festival getting underway today.