Three Southend RNLI rescue craft launch to capsized dinghy off Thorpe Bay

As part of a multi-agency incident, the charity’s inshore lifeboat-1, D-818 Len Thorne GM DFC and hovercraft H004 Vera Ravine were launched to search for the missing people and proceeded to the location near Thorpe Bay Bastion at best speed.

Arriving on scene the charity’s inshore lifeboat located one of the casualties. After a medical assessment the crew transferred the casualty to the volunteers onboard the hovercraft then continuing to search for the second missing person. The hovercraft took the first casualty to shore to a waiting ambulance crew.

At 5.15pm Southend RNLI’s Atlantic 85 volunteer crew were paged, with the Julia and Angus Wright joining the search for the second casualty, while HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter was also tasked to the scene to assist the search.

Southend RNLI inshore D class lifeboat Vera Ravine located the second casualty who was brought ashore and handed into the care of ambulance crews.

Any further enquiries to Essex Police.

RNLI Media contacts

· Nigel Gilchrist, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Southend-on-Sea RNLI

· On 07765 875300 or [email protected]

· Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East), 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]

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

RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.

Note to editors

Southend-on-Sea RNLI operate four rescue craft from two boathouses. A boathouse onshore housing A search and rescue hovercraft and D-class inshore lifeboat and a boathouse offshore on the end of Southend pier housing a second D-class lifeboat and a B-class Atlantic 85.

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.