Two people suffered serious injuries after falling from Brighton’s derelict West Pier into the sea this afternoon. The shocking incident sparked a major multi-agency emergency response.
At around 12:30pm, emergency services received numerous 999 calls reporting individuals struggling in the water near the unsafe and off-limits West Pier. Shoreham and Newhaven Coastguard teams quickly responded, arriving to find both victims out of the water but gravely hurt.
One victim suffered deep cuts, while the other appears to have a dislocated shoulder. Paramedics from South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) treated them on scene before rushing them to Royal Sussex County Hospital for urgent care.
“Ambulance crews assessed and treated one person rescued from the water before transferring them to hospital for further medical treatment,” confirmed SECAmb.
HM Coastguard issued a stark warning: “Climbing on old structures in or over water, tombstoning, or jumping from heights is extremely dangerous. Hidden rocks, metal, and shallow water pose deadly risks. DON’T DO IT – STAY SAFE!”
The crumbling West Pier has long been declared structurally unsafe and strictly off limits. Despite repeated warnings, thrill-seekers continue to risk life and limb by venturing onto the unstable structure.
In any coastal emergency, always dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Updates on the condition of the injured victims will follow as more information becomes available.
Originally published by UKNIP.
