Large scale overnight search for person missing from Branksome Chine

The person had last been seen at Branksome Chine several hours earlier and, when personal items were found on the beach, Poole lifeboat was tasked early in the morning to search along the Poole Bay coastline.

With nothing found and daylight now broken, Swanage lifeboat and Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 'Rescue 175' were added to the search effort.

The Swanage lifeboat searched around Studland Bay before being allocated a search area stretching from Old Harry eastwards towards a position south of Bournemouth Pier. The search area was completed just over three hours later. During the same time Poole lifeboat and the HM Coastguard helicopter were designated different search areas.

As the Swanage volunteers started their final search leg, a passing catamaran reported to Solent Coastguard that they were alongside a person in the water. Both Poole and Swanage lifeboats made best speed to the reported location, along with a Police RIB. The casualty was taken aboard Poole lifeboat and a Police officer transferred.

The casualty was taken to a waiting ambulance in Poole Harbour, where the casualty was sadly declared deceased. Our thoughts are with the casualty's family and friends at this time.

Swanage lifeboat was released from the incident shortly after the casualty was recovered and returned to station, just after 11am, after four and a half hours at sea.

ALB Crew: (Coxn) Robert Aggas, Steve Williams, Becky Mack, Roydon Woodford, Laura Orchard, Ben Jarvis, Sam Aggas

Shore Crew: (Head Launcher) Gary Buglass, (Winchman) Dave Turnbull, Felix Williams, Ben Clarke, Emily Condie, Martha Tavinor

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Becky Mack, Swanage RNLI Volunteer Press Officer on 07812 558487 or at [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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