In response to an emergency call, the Shoreham lifeboat was dispatched at 14:00 by HM Coastguard following a 999 alert about a man spotted face down in the water near the west pier in Brighton. The situation prompted an immediate response from Sussex Police and the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb), amid growing concerns for the individual’s safety.
Eyewitnesses at the scene relayed to Sussex News that a courageous member of the Brighton Seafront team’s beach patrol officers went into action, entering the water to rescue the distressed man. After approximately 15 minutes in the treacherous conditions, the patrol officer successfully brought the man to shore, where he was immediately attended to by waiting ambulance crews.
In a coordinated effort to ensure no other individuals were in danger, the Coastguard deployed additional resources, including teams from Shoreham and Newhaven Coastguard, Shoreham’s All-Weather Lifeboat (ALB), and Helicopter 175. These teams conducted a thorough search of the surrounding sea and shoreline. After confirming that no further victims were at risk, the emergency teams were stood down.
The rescued man received immediate medical attention from the scene’s medics before being transported to the Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCh) in Brighton for further treatment. The current condition of the man remains uncertain.
A Sussex Police spokesperson confirmed the man’s rescue, stating, “The man was pulled from the water by beach patrol officers and taken to hospital by ambulance. His condition is unknown at this time. Police, coastguard teams, the coastguard helicopter, and the Shoreham RNLI lifeboat conducted a thorough search of the sea and shoreline to check for any additional victims. They were stood down after confirming no one else was found in the area.”
