Weymouth RNLI launched to person in the water off Portland
Weymouth RNLI All-weather lifeboat was launched at 1.29pm on Saturday 25th July 2020 following a report from Solent Coastguard of an unconscious male swimmer in the water near to Portland Bill.
The Inshore lifeboat was also launched shortly afterwards at 1.33pm.
In difficult circumstances of poor visibility and choppy sea conditions the casualty was located by the Inshore lifeboat some 300m South West from Portland Bill and taken onboard at 2.00pm. The volunteer crew immediately commenced CPR before transferring him to the All-weather lifeboat where CPR continued.
Due to the seriousness of the condition of the casualty it was decided to transfer him direct to hospital by helicopter.
When Coastguard rescue helicopter 175 arrived on scene the casualty was transferred from the All-weather lifeboat into the helicopter and taken straight to Poole Hospital where shortly after arrival he was sadly pronounced dead.
Both lifeboats then returned to station at 3.30pm, refuelled and made ready for the next shout.
Media contact
Ken Francis, Volunteer press officer - Tel. 07843781712. [email protected]
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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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