Littlehampton RNLI receive multiple calls for help at sea and in the river Arun
On Wednesday 24 June lifeboat crews from Littlehampton were called out three times to assist swimmers potentially at risk and those actually in difficulty as Met Office red warning heat alerts covered much of southern England.
Exceptionally warm weather attracts many people to enjoy the coastline in the vicinity of Littlehampton where there is the opportunity to paddle or swim in the cooling sea. Occasionally though what seems to be an enjoyable dip in the water can become a life threatening event.
On Wednesday 24 June the first of three shouts for the volunteer lifeboat and shore crews was before 8am when HM Coastguard had received reports of two persons attempting to rescue a dog from the water at Felpham beach. In response Littlehampton’s B-Class lifeboat Renee Sherman was launched. News soon came through though to stand down as the reported casualties were no longer at risk.
The second shout was to Bognor Regis beach with both the station’s lifeboats B-Class Renee Sherman and D-Class Spirit of Fidelity being launched at 2pm with a search and rescue tasking for a person missing in the water.
A concerned swimmer could not locate their companion whom they had been swimming with and had called 999 asking for the Coastguard. On arrival at the scene both lifeboats were stood down by HM Coastguard as the missing person was found to be safe and on the beach.
The third shout was to reports of persons in the water who had been washed into the river Arun, from Littlehampton East Beach, by the flooding tide. In response Littlehampton’s B-Class lifeboat Renee Sherman launched just before 7pm. The casualties were now in the mouth of the river and were consequently being carried by the tide into the harbour where fast and swirling currents can be a danger to life.
Two casualties were immediately recovered to the lifeboat and taken to the lifeboat station at Fisherman’s Quay where South East Coast Ambulance personnel were in attendance to provide any necessary medical assistance. A third casualty was also recovered from the water by a non-RNLI third party and assisted by a second ambulance crew. All three casualties were then re-united at the lifeboat station.
Phil Hetherington, Water Safety Officer at Littlehampton Lifeboat Station said: ‘On hot days it is natural for people to come to the coast and perhaps cool off a little in the sea. The sea can be very dangerous though if tides, currents, wind strength and water depth are not understood. At Littlehampton East Beach signage indicates where it is not safe to swim. RNLI Lifeguards are present 10am-6pm every day through the summer – the safest place to swim is between the yellow and red flags on the beach in the vicinity of the lifeguard hut. If you see a person or animal in distress in the river Arun or in the sea call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’
ENDS
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