A major rescue operation took place in Southsea following the discovery of an unconscious person in the water this afternoon (Saturday).
Gosport and Fareham Inshore Lifeboat was tasked to rescue the casualty, along with local mainland coastguard teams, police and paramedics.
The casualty was then pulled out of the water, with CPR said to have been given by lifeboat crew members.
Coastguard Rescue helicopter 175 was also on scene from nearby Lee-on-Solent for a time, but was stood down.
A South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) spokesperson said:
“The incident in Old Portsmouth earlier was in relation to a woman in her 40s who was found unresponsive in the water by the Coastguard and recovered to Camber Dock Lifeboat Jetty where they were met by our team comprising 2 ambulance crews, a paramedic team leader and an emergency doctor.
“After initial treatment the patient was then taken to the Queen Alexandra Hospital where she was handed over to colleagues in the emergency department in a life-threatening condition.”
A HM Coastguard spokesperson said
”HM Coastguard received multiple 999 calls about an incident near the hovercraft slipway in Southsea, Portsmouth.
“A woman was pulled from the water and passed into the care of the ambulance service.
“The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) and Hampshire Constabulary have been informed.”
UPDATE @ 21:45 – Despite national reports that the woman had been ‘sucked underneath’ or ‘hit’ by a hovercraft, Island Echo can confirm this was categorically not the case.
A Hovertravel spokesperson said:
“Contrary to various media reports we can confirm that Solent Flyer was NOT involved with the incident involving a body in water but the crew were alerted. As Solent Flyer landed at Southsea this afternoon, the ground team alerted the pilot about a body in the water, as per Hovertravel’s normal safety procedure. The pilot landed safely and the service is operating as normal.
“The person has subsequently been recovered by the emergency services and the police are dealing with the matter. All further enquiries should be addressed to the police.”
Hovertravel has been running its standard service to timetable since shortly after the incident.
UPDATE SUNDAY @ 11:00 – A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary has this morning (Sunday) said:
“We were called shortly after 17:45 on Saturday 24 April to a report that a woman was unconscious in the water on Clarence Esplanade, Southsea.
“Officers attended and a 59-year-old woman was taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital.
“Despite best efforts, she was sadly pronounced dead on Saturday evening.
“Next of Kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.
“Officers do not believe the Hovercraft to have been involved in any way at this time.
“The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file shall be prepared for the coroner.”
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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jeez – do the national news outlets ever actually check the facts before they print something. They should be made to pay Hovertravel some compensation for the pack of lies they published.
This is disgraceful. Compensation they should be fined with the proceeds going to local mental health charities. The media cause unmearsurable damage to people and they families or businesses when the “facts” are incorrect or in this case blatantl lie in order to publish an artical which will generate alot of interest. I hope the woman recovers and I feel for her family at this time.
sadly the woman died.
Cold seas are very dangerous to swim in at this time of year. Best wait until July to be safe. I hope the lady is ok now.