Man rescued by Margate RNLI in late night drama

UK Coastguard were contacted by Kent Police late last night (Friday 12 May) requesting assistance after receiving reports that an adult male had entered the sea close to the Nayland Rock. Margate’s RNLI inshore lifeboat, the coastguard helicopter from Lydd airport and local coastguard rescue team were immediately tasked and joined the police in searching the area.

Initially nothing was found and the search was extended to Infirmary Bay. A shoreline search involving Margate’s RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew, police and ambulance staff from South East Coast Ambulance Service was organised, the RNLI providing additional torches and illuminating parachute flares. They also worked with paramedics to prepare equipment at the lifeboat launching site in anticipation of treating the casualty.

Police then sighted something in the water and the lifeboat was directed to the scene where they found an adult male up to his chest in water, cold and distressed. The casualty had to be coaxed by the lifeboat crew and he was eventually recovered into the lifeboat and immediately taken ashore and handed into the care of paramedics. He was reported to be physically uninjured but very cold and in an anxious state. The rescue units were stood down and returned to station.

Nick Smith, deputy launching authority Margate lifeboat said: ‘Time was of the essence here and it was thanks to the determination and perseverance of all involved that this person was rescued. We urgently plead with people to dial 999 and ask for coastguard if they see anything untoward at sea or on the shoreline.’

ENDS

RNLI Media contacts

• Peter Barker, RNLI Margate Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 07974 064304 [email protected]

• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]

• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

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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.

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