Southend RNLI volunteers tasked to a person in the water at Southend pier

Southend RNLI lifeboat D-904 Sue Sorotos arrived on scene at the end of Southend pier where a male in his mid-30’s was found in distress clinging to the structure of the pier, with a strong tide running there was a danger he could lose his grip. Southend pier staff were on scene deploying a lifebuoy to the casualty.

Tony Field, Southend RNLI volunteer helm said: ‘The casualty was quickly located, taken onboard the lifeboat and assessed by the crew, he was shaken up and cold. We decided to evacuate the casualty to shore where an ambulance was on standby.

The casualty was taken to Southend RNLI inshore boathouse where an ambulance and HM Coastguard Southend were waiting. The ambulance crew assessed and monitored the casualty until they were content he was well enough to leave and reunite with his friends.

The rapid response of the RNLI volunteers undoubtedly enabled the casualty to walk away.

Southend pier boasts to be the world’s longest pleasure pier at over one and a third miles in length. It also sees very strong tides running past it with the added dangers of sunken wreckage in places and a barnacle covered structure below the waterline. A walk along the pier is a safe and picturesque thing to do. Occasionally people end up in the water near the pier. Lifebuoys are placed along the length of the pier for use when someone is in distress.

If you see someone in trouble in the water or by the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard, that call could save someone’s life.

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/

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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 is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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