A youth suffered a serious injury after jumping into the water at the entrance to Pagham Harbour on Monday, 27th August. Reports confirmed that he was impaled on an object underwater, triggering an immediate emergency response.
The UK Coastguard received the distress call at 5.41 pm and promptly launched the Selsey RNLI inshore lifeboat (ILB). The lifeboat crew sped to the scene, aiming to reach the harbour entrance as quickly as possible.
Support arrived rapidly with South East Ambulance Service paramedics, Selsey and Littlehampton Coastguard Rescue Teams, and the Coastguard Rescue helicopter all dispatched to assist. By the time the ILB reached the location at 5.50 pm, paramedics were already attending to the youth’s wounds and ensuring he was kept warm.
After assessing the situation, the medical team decided the rescue helicopter was not required and it was stood down. The injured youth was carefully transferred into an ambulance using the lifeboat’s ambulance pouch, with ILB crew members assisting in carrying him to the vehicle.
With the casualty safely in the ambulance, the lifeboat crew returned to their vessel. The ILB was stood down at 6.21 pm and arrived back at the station by 6.32 pm, ready for any further call-outs.
This rapid and well-coordinated rescue operation between the lifeboat crew and emergency services ensured a prompt and safe outcome, demonstrating effective teamwork along the UK coast.
Originally published by UKNIP.
