Swansea Coastguard have been engaged this morning in the search and rescue of a drunk man who was spotted in the water by two officers from the Avon and Somerset police. He was wearing jeans and a t shirt and is in his late 30s.
He was spotted at just after 1.00 am swimming in Weston Bay near Marine Lake after wading into the water and was seen drifting towards Knightsone Island.
The Weston Super Mare Coastguard Rescue Team were immediately sent to the area and the Weston Super Mare RNLI in shore lifeboat was requested to launch at the same time. A rescue helicopter R169 was also scrambled.
A radio request was made for any vessel to come and assist whilst the police maintained radio contact with the Coastguard from the shore and kept the man in visual contact. The two police officers also entered the water with a lifebelt in order to assist.
The man was seen to go under the water several times and thrash around and a police helicopter was scrambled to keep a track on the casualty from the air.
The RAF rescue helicopter from Chivenor also used its searchlight to guide the lifeboat to the drowning man.
By 1.45 am the man had been pulled from the water by the crew of the RNLI inshore lifeboat and was taken to the shoreline for onward transmission to hospital. He was vomiting and had clearly been drinking heavily.
Bernie Kemble from Swansea Coastguard said
“We understand the man has made a good recovery in hospital and is talking with those around him.
“To enter the water when clearly inebriated is utter madness. If he had not been spotted by the police he may have been lost forever. We are all aware of the loss of the two men from the same area just a few days ago. Despite the fine weather we are enjoying, cold water shock, and the effect alcohol has on the body dramatically reduces the chances of survival. In this case the man is very, very lucky and probably owes his life to both the people who spotted him and the rescue crews who saved him.”
Maritime And Coastguard Agency