SWIMMER RESCUED AFTER EXTENSIVE SEARCH ALONG SUSSEX COASTLINE

A man was rescued from the sea late last night following an extensive search between Shoreham and Hove.

Solent Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) received a call from Sussex Police at 21:52 last night, requesting assistance in the search for a man seen entering the water at Portslade approximately half an hour earlier. A local fisherman saw the man enter the sea and head out for a swim, but became concerned when it became dark and had lost sight of him.

Shoreham Coastguard Rescue Team, Littlehampton Coastguard Rescue Team and three RNLI lifeboats – two from Shoreham and one from Brighton – were involved in the search, which was coordinated by Solent MRCC.

Following extensive searches by all involved, the man, who had become disoriented and got into difficulties, was located by Shoreham Inshore Lifeboat at midnight, approximately 300 metres off shore south of the Babylon Lounge in Hove. He had been in the water for approximately two and a half hours. Although he was very cold, he seemed to be otherwise physically well. He was taken by ambulance to the Royal Sussex Hospital for observation.

A spokesperson from Solent MRCC said:

“We are all very pleased that this gentleman was found after such a long time in the water and in the dark.

Our search and rescue units are to be highly commended for their efforts last night, which led to a successful conclusion to this incident.

Additionally the vigilance of the fisherman reporting the incident is also to be commended. Without his initial intervention, there could have been a very different outcome.

If you spot someone in difficulty at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

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