It was a tense and hectic day for lifeguards and coastguard teams at West Wittering Beach on Sunday, July 28, 2024, as 42 children were reported missing throughout the day. Thankfully, all the missing children were found safe and well, and reunited with their families.
The day saw multiple call-outs and collaborative efforts from various teams. At 11:37 AM, the Selsey Coastguard Team was paged alongside both Hayling Island lifeboats and the Littlehampton Coastguard Team to respond to a report of a missing six-year-old child. The child was located by lifeguards just as the coastguard teams arrived, and all assets were stood down to return to their stations.
Later in the afternoon, at 4:19 PM, Selsey and Littlehampton Coastguard Teams, along with both Hayling Lifeboats, were dispatched again following reports of three missing children at West Wittering Beach. Although these children were found while the teams were en route, the situation remained dynamic with further reports of missing children being made. Consequently, the coastguard teams continued their presence on the beach.
The teams spent several hours assisting lifeguards in searching for multiple missing children, a missing adult, and responding to a medical incident. After a long and demanding day, the coastguard teams finally returned to their stations at 7:30 PM.
Despite the high number of incidents, the coordinated efforts of lifeguards and coastguard teams ensured that all missing individuals were found safe, highlighting the importance and effectiveness of these emergency services in maintaining safety at popular beach destinations.
