The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea
Local 10 year old saved from drowning by Hayling RNLI and the Chichester Harbour Patrol.
Boats Launched : Atlantic 85
Date : 13 July
Launched at : 15:41
Returned at : 16:10
Weather : Fine and sunny with F5 W wind and ebbing tide.
Air ambulance landing with Hayling Rescue boat
On an idyllic Sunday, 13 July, with a gentle breeze and bright sunshine, five young friends went swimming off Eastoke Point and one 10 year old girl was lucky to be saved by the prompt action of a man from N Hayling, and the combined rescue services.
Solent Coastguard received a call from the mother of one of the group reporting that two of her children and three others were being taken by the strong ebbing tide away from the beach and out of the harbour. In fact Robbie Humphries, one of the group and a non-swimmer had been caught by a wave which frightened him and seeing his friends getting too far out came ashore and raised the alarm. Mrs Jan Humphries said ‘Thank the Lord he was sensible and got out of the water.’
Meanwhile the Chichester Harbour patrol boat was only about 300m away from the swimmers and react quickly to the call. Hayling Rescue rib also was on the scene and the Hayling RNLI Lifeboat was launched and went to the area. By this time the 10 year old girl was being supported by a ‘good Samaritan’ who had swum out to her and was supporting her in the water. The Harbour patrol vessel recovered her and due to her condition immediately took her back to the RNLI Lifeboat Station. There two crew members took her into the station and made her comfortable. Brittany Jones, who is a crew member of both Hayling and Portsmouth RNLI and a trained lifeguard, described her as ‘very cold and due to her immersion and suffering from hypothermia, she was hyperventilating. We used oxygen to restore normal breathing.’
The Launch Authority at the Lifeboat Station requested an Ambulance to attend and the Hayling First responders came to assist, arriving before the ambulance. Because the ambulance felt it was taking too long to reach the Station they paged the Air Ambulance which also arrived. (pictured with Hayling Rescue) On arrival each team assisted in caring for the children.
The other four children were wrapped in blankets and given drinks and cake and began to recover from their ordeal. The decision was made to take all five to hospital in the ambulance for a thorough check-up and parents and carers were contacted and some made it to the station to go with their children. Later that afternoon the little girls father came back to the station to return the blankets and expressed his gratitude to all involved in his daughters rescue. Jan Humphries said ‘I’ve always donated to the air ambulance and they together with the RNLI do a great job and yesterday proved it.’ We can all also be grateful for having the Chichester Harbour patrol and Hayling Rescue making our beaches and harbour a safer place.’