Selsey Lifeboat Station - Launches
29th July 2007
Two Persons in the Water off Warner Road
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At 1319 Solent Coastguards requested the immediate launch of the Selsey inshore lifeboat “Peter Cornish” in response to two 999 calls from members of the public reporting two persons in the water and in difficulty to the west of Selsey Bill, off Warner Road.
Coastguard Rescue officers were immediately sent to the scene as well as scrambling the Coastguard Rescue helicopter “Victor Alpha”. On arriving at the scene at 1327 Selsey ILB quickly recovered a man from the water, in a critical condition. The crew elected to return to the lifeboat station with the casualty whilst requesting immediate medical assistance.
A young lady was helped ashore by the Coastguard Rescue team and members of the public and taken to St Richards Hospital suffering from shock.
After intensive first aid from lifeboat crew and ambulance staff Rescue Helicopter “Victor Alpha” landed on the beach and evacuated the man by stretcher to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth where he was pronounced dead.
The accident apparently happened as the couple were walking along the rocks above the beach when the woman – who could not swim – lost her footing. Her boyfriend tried to rescue her, but slipped and banged his head on the rocks as he fell into the water.
CREW: Colin Pullenger (Helmsman), R.Wiseman, P.Delahunty.
WIND: Southwest 3-4. SEA: Slight. Weather: Sunny.