Isle of Wight Festival Horror: Man Seriously Ill After Boat Capsizes While Watching The Killers
A festival-goer is fighting for his life after a rowing boat he was in flipped on the River Medina in the early hours of Monday. The trio onboard capsized as they tried to catch The Killers at the Isle of Wight Festival, sparking a dramatic rescue.
Boat Capsizes Near Festival Site
Emergency services were scrambled just after midnight when a member of the public spotted people struggling in the water under an overturned rowing boat near Newport Rowing Club, close to the festival’s iconic big wheel.
The three men had paddled from Folly Hill upstream to get a better view of The Killers’ gig. But their journey back turned into a nightmare. Despite having lifejackets on board, the group – reportedly drunk – ignored advice to wear them, leading to disaster.
Heroic Rescue Effort
- The Coastguard search and rescue team, the Cowes RNLI lifeboat, and two ambulances rushed to the scene.
- A nearby passing boat spotted the trio and radioed a mayday for help.
- One man made it ashore on his own, but the other two, a middle-aged couple, were rescued from cold shock by the passing boat.
- All three were brought to shore through mud and given emergency treatment.
Man in Critical Condition with Secondary Drowning
The man is now in a serious condition at St Mary’s Hospital, showing symptoms of secondary drowning, a dangerous and potentially fatal complication from water inhalation.
Mark Harker from Cowes Lifeboat said: “They were very cold and dark which was not good for them and boats were moving round, so there was a good chance they could get hit.”
“They were clearly in shock and very stunned.”
Warning Ignored: Lifejackets Left Unworn
The Coastguard recovered the small rowing boat, which contained two lifejackets and several empty drink cans, highlighting the recklessness of taking to the water while intoxicated.
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