Life saved as Selsey inshore lifeboat pulls young man from the sea

The D class inshore lifeboat (ILB) Betty and Thomas Moore launched at 5.25pm and made best speed towards Pagham. The weather on scene was wind Easterly force 5-6 with a moderate sea state with good visibility.

At 5.35pm the ILB arrived on scene and headed towards some people waving on the beach but spotted the person in the water. At 5.37pm the person was recovered to the ILB conscious but extremely cold. The casualty was fully clothed so the ILB crew used a survival bag to protect him from the wind chill and water spray while they headed to the beach.

The beach was reached at 5.44pm and the casualty was taken ashore with the help of Selsey Coastguard team to a waiting ambulance. The ILB crew spotted three people on Pagham Spit while recovering the casualty and were concerned for their safety. With the arrival of the Coastguard rescue helicopter on scene both they and the ILB checked the spit but no one was seen.

Sussex Police confirmed it was two of their officers with another adult on the spit, and they were now safely ashore so the helicopter and the ILB were released from the incident at 5.59pm. The ILB returned to station at 6.20pm and was rehoused straight away. The crew on the ILB today were Helmsman Rob Archibald, Colin Pullenger and Harry Emmence.


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