Lowestoft RNLI Lifeboat crew rescue exhausted swimmer clinging onto end of pier
A swimmer who was swept away by a strong current was rescued by a Suffolk lifeboat crew
Second Coxswain Karl Jackson said “HM Coastguard tasked us to a person in the water who was drifting past the end of South Pier. However, as we left our mooring, which is also on South Pier, a follow up report told us that the beach lifeguards had a visual sighting of a person clinging to the end of South Pier."
"As soon as we got to the pierhead we could see him, so I manoeuvred the lifeboat closer, and the crew threw him a line. They then pulled him towards the lifeboat and using the recovery davit brought him on to the deck."
"He was a middle-aged man who had been swimming on his own from the beach and drifted with the tide not realising the current was taking him or how strong it was.
There was a strong ebb tide and a strong current running. He was doing well to grip onto the end of the pier which he said he had been holding onto for about 15 minutes.
Once on board he seemed alright apart form a few scrapes and cuts and within minutes we were able to pass him into the care of the Ambulance crew and the Coastguard Rescue team who were waiting on the quayside.”
RNLI media contacts
Mick Howes, Lowestoft RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 01502 562488 / 07814 468917 email [email protected]
Clare Hopps RNLI Regional Media Officer (North East & East), Tel 07824 518641 [email protected]
Jess Curtis | RNLI Regional Media Engagements Placement (North and East) Mob: 07483 488243 [email protected]
For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789. For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
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