Cowes Lifeboat Attends Fatal Cowes Week Incident
Cowes RNLI lifeboat raced through rough sea today to go to the aid of a yachtsman, seriously injured after falling into the sea during Cowes Week racing.
First to reach him was a man who dived in from another yacht, Riff Raff, part of the RS Elite fleet.
Arriving on the scene after the man had been put aboard a RIB, the lifeboat then escorted the RIB to the pontoon of Trinity Landing. There lifeboat crew and members of the RIB were involved in the initial protracted resuscitation efforts.
Two of the lifeboat crew soon briefly left the scene to pick up a paramedic, winched down from the Coastguard helicopter. Also on the pontoon to provide medical help were ambulance crew and Ventnor coastguards.
Eventually the man was taken to St Mary’s Hospital, Newport, where he was later pronounced dead.
RNLI media contact
- George Chastney, Cowes RNLI Volunteer Press Officer 07530 254052/ [email protected]
- Julie Rainey, Regional Media Engagement Manager (London/East/South East) 07827 358256/ [email protected]
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
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.
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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.