Wells inshore lifeboat launches to walker cut off on the marshes in the mist
Wells inshore lifeboat launched to search for a person on the marsh thought to be cut off by the incoming tide as the mist and dusk closed in.
Reports were received of a person seen walking about on the marsh at Wells-next-the-Sea in Norfolk at 3:15pm on Sunday afternoon (14 Jan). The light was fading and with an incoming tide and mist rolling in, UK Coastguard requested an immediate launch of Wells inshore lifeboat (ILB). The lifeboat proceeded via the town quay to commence a search of the marsh starting in the vicinity where the casualty was last observed.
Failing light made it difficult to see and cctv cameras covering the area along with observations from vantage points also proved to be difficult.
The ILB landed volunteer crew members onto the march from where they could see better and the UK Coastguard Search and Rescue team began an edge of marsh search at an area known as Warham Greens. Searching continued and at 4.20pm the local Coastguard located a person coming off the marsh at a place called Garden Drove and they came to the conclusion he was the same person who had been sighted earlier.
Another sighting was observed from Wells boathouse in the vicinity of Boat Creek and the ILB proceeded to that location. On arrival, and having put crew up on the marsh again to search, it was concluded that this second sighting must have been a post or bush as there was no person in that location.
The search was called off at 4.45pm and the ILB recovered the crew members from the marsh and returned to the boathouse. The ILB was re-housed, re-fuelled and ready for service again at 5.30pm
Weather: Overcast Wind: 0-1 NE Visibility: 1 – 3 miles Sea: Smooth High Water: 17:2
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For more information please contact Peter Rainsford, Chairman and Acting Lifeboat Press Officer, on: 01328 711463/07789 967 255 or, John Mitchell, Wells Lifeboat Press Officer, 07831 103 166.
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