Chaos at Brighton Palace Pier as Search Launched for Man in Water
Just after 5:30pm, HM Coastguard scrambled rescue teams after reports of someone entering the water near Brighton Palace Pier.
Massive Rescue Operation Underway
The Shoreham Inshore Lifeboat was launched immediately. Newhaven Coastguard, Shoreham Coastguard, and Coastguard helicopter 163 sped to the scene.
The chopper and lifeboat combed the waters between Brighton Marina and West Pier. Meanwhile, Coastguard officers and Sussex Police scoured the shoreline.
Shoreham All-Weather Lifeboat soon joined the frantic search between the two piers.
Search Called Off After Two Hours – No Sign of Missing Person
As night fell, the extensive search was scaled back and then called off – no trace of anyone was found in the water.
A Shoreham Lifeboat RNLI spokesperson said: “Both lifeboats were launched to search for a person reported to have fallen off Brighton Palace Pier this evening, along with the Shoreham and Newhaven coastguard teams, the coastguard helicopter and Sussex Police.
An extensive search was carried out at sea and along the shoreline. Nothing was found and the search was called off after two hours. The report was good intent.”
The incident sparked a large-scale response but thankfully ended without tragedy.
Video courtesy of Sussex.News / @Sussexincidents
