Southend-on-Sea RNLI volunteers save man from imminent drowning

On a routine exercise Saturday morning, Southend RNLI volunteers were carrying out operating procedures at Leigh-on-Sea when they received an urgent call from Dover Coastguard to search for a person in the water in Benfleet creek. A member of public had heard someone calling for help near the derelict General Booths jetty and raised the alarm.

The RNLI volunteers, helm Dave Hopper with crew members Dave Smith and Alex Poole onboard the charity’s D class lifeboat, D-771 William Henderson immediately headed towards the reported location at top speed. A small boat was spotted on the northern bank of the creek as the volunteers neared the location.

Dover Coastguard informed the crew that the first informant was still on scene. Arriving at the location in just five minutes the crew spotted the first informant waving and directing the lifeboat towards the casualty. Quickly the volunteers spotted the casualty, a male in his fifties, clinging onto one of the posts of the jetty.

With a flooding spring tide running at a fair pace, helm Dave Hopper positioned the lifeboat close to the jetty, crew member Alex Poole was attached to a safety line and entered the water to reach and retrieve the casualty while Dave Smith controlled the safety line and prepared to bring the casualty onboard.

Southend RNLI volunteer Helm Dave Hopper said: ‘Luckily, we were exercising within a couple of miles when we received the call and were able to reach the casualty within minutes. With the guidance from the first informer the crew were able to rescue the man quickly, he was exhausted and showing signs of water ingestion and hypothermia, he only had a short time left.

‘The crew did a great job. Thanks to the member of the public who had heard a shout for help and raised the alarm then stayed on scene. By calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard, a life was saved’.

Southend RNLI volunteer crew requested an immediate ambulance to meet them at Two Tree Island slipway. The RNLI volunteers covered the casualty with a survivor blanket to shield him from the wind and maintain body heat.

The RNLI volunteers arrived at Two Tree slipway at 11.50am followed shortly after by the ambulance. The casualty was transferred to the care of the ambulance crew.

The volunteers then went back to recover the vessel so it wouldn’t become a hazard to navigation. The vessel was towed to a mooring near Two Tree slipway.

An observant member of the public and the RNLI volunteer crew’s first class training and equipment saved a life on this day.

If you see someone in trouble at sea or on the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. A call that could save someone’s life.

For RNLI advice and safety information on boating, go to: https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/yacht-sailing-and-motorboating

For further information please contact:

• Nigel Gilchrist. Lifeboat Press Officer at Southend-on-Sea RNLI [email protected] or 07765875300
• Hatti Mellor | RNLI Regional Communications Manager – South East, [email protected]
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

Notes to Editors:

• Southend RNLI is one of the busiest coastal stations across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
• Southend RNLI cover approximately fifteen miles of shore from Shoeburyness to Canvey and beyond.
• For more information, please visit http://www.southendlifeboat.org/

RNLI online

For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.

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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.