| UK. 4 pulled from water after mobile phone distress call |
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| Sunday, 03 April 2005 | |
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At just before 7.30 p.m. this evening PortlandCoastguard was alerted by a mobile phone call to a small 14 foot Fletcher Arrowflight speed boat, which was taking water just over half a mile out to sea at Lyme Regis and 600 yards outside the harbour. The vessel was reported to be sinking and there were four people on board; two adult males, an adult female - all in their mid 30s and a boy of about 11 - all wearing lifejackets. The caller said they had no idea how the water was getting in but they needed rapid assistance. As the Coastguard operator was getting further details the caller then reported that they were going under and the call was aborted. The occupants were then thrown into the water. The Lyme Regis RNLI inshore lifeboat was immediately requested to launch and the Coastguard helicopter `Whiskey Bravo' was also scrambled. The lifeboat crew managed to get all four out of the water and into the lifeboat where they were taken back to the shoreline. As it was clear they were each suffering from various stages of hypothermia the helicopter landed on the beach and took them on board before flying them on to Dorchester hospital. The vessel which was spotted three quarters submerged was then towed back into the harbour. There was no sign of pollution. Ros Evans, Watch Manager at Portland Coastguard tonight praised the prompt response of the crew of the RNLI Lyme Regis in-shore lifeboat and crew of `Whiskey Bravo'. "Without a doubt due to the very cold temperatures of the waters offshore at this time of year, about 9 degrees Celsius, this incident could have had a tragic outcome had they not been pulled from the water in the double quick time by the lifeboat crew. "The crew worked extremely well with the helicopter aircrew who flew the four distressed people straight to hospital in Dorchester from the beach where they were landed. Fortunately all of the casualties were wearing lifejackets. "Please check the weather forecast before you put to sea. |
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| Last Updated ( Sunday, 03 April 2005 ) |
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