Major Christmas Eve Search Off Isle of Wight
A massive rescue operation unfolded off the Isle of Wight in the early hours of Christmas Eve (Sunday, December 24, 2017). Just after 3am, Coastguard teams across the island were scrambled following reports of a woman entering the water near Sandown Pier.
All Hands on Deck: Lifeboats and Helicopters Join Hunt
The response was swift and serious. An all-weather RNLI lifeboat from Bembridge and the Sandown and Shanklin Independent inshore lifeboat were dispatched to scour the waters. Meanwhile, two helicopters from Lee-on-the-Solent and Lydd joined the search, braving foul weather and using thermal imaging cameras to scan the area.
Six-Hour Search Covers Sea and Shore
The intense search stretched from Culver Parade to Lucombe. Coastguard Rescue Teams from Bembridge and Ventnor also combed the shoreline in case the missing woman had reached land. Despite the exhaustive six-hour operation, no trace was found.
Coastguard Confirms Ongoing Search
“A major search and rescue operation involving two helicopters, two lifeboats, and two Coastguard Rescue Teams is underway in the Sandown area off the Isle of Wight this morning,” a UK Coastguard spokesperson confirmed. “We were alerted at around 03:00 to reports of a woman entering the water near Sandown Pier, prompting a full-scale response. The search is ongoing and has now been active for several hours.”
