Calshot RNLI volunteers respond to person in water
Volunteers from Calshot RNLI launched to a report of a person seen entering the River Itchen
The man was spotted by a tug from Itchen Marine Towage who aided the RNLI volunteers by using their large search lights to illuminate the area.
The man had entered the water wearing only a t-shirt and trousers and had become stuck on piles sticking out from a wall near to some pontoons along the River Itchen.
Two RNLI volunteers entered the water and the man had to be cut from his trousers to enable him to be freed. He was then handed over to South Central Ambulance and Hampshire Constabulary for checking over and questioning.
Andy Headley, Calshot RNLI Helm, said: 'There is a clear message here that people must learn to respect the water. With the very low air temperatures, freezing cold water and the fact that the man was stuck below the tide level, this could easily have had a more devastating outcome had he not been rescued when he was.'
Both lifeboats were then released and returned to station.
RNLI edia contacts
- RNLI Calshot Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officers Joanne Pearson 07780 457731, [email protected] and Peter Lewis 07745 949684, [email protected]
- Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London /South East/East), 0207 6207426 / 07785/296252 [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.