Five people were rescued after a small boat sank off Slash Point in Seaford on Monday 12th August 2024. The incident occurred just after 2:40pm when the vessel capsized, prompting urgent 999 calls to HM Coastguard.
Fortunately, all five individuals were wearing lifejackets. A passing jet skier acted quickly, pulling them from the water and escorting them safely to shore before emergency crews arrived. This swift action was credited with saving lives.
The full emergency response included teams from Newhaven and Birling Gap Coastguard, the Newhaven RNLI lifeboat, Coastguard helicopter 163 from Lydd, Sussex Police, and the South East Coast Ambulance Service.
Once ashore, the survivors were assessed by paramedics and Coastguard personnel to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
A Coastguard spokesperson said, “HM Coastguard received multiple 999 calls just after 14:40 this afternoon after a small vessel capsized and sunk off Seaford with five people on board. They were wearing lifejackets and were taken ashore by a passing jet ski before emergency teams arrived. They were then passed into ambulance care.”
This incident highlights the lifesaving importance of wearing lifejackets and demonstrates how quick thinking by bystanders can make a critical difference in emergency situations.
Originally published by UKNIP.
