COASTGUARD Rescue teams were called to a Wightlink ferry as it crossed the Solent after a passenger jumped from the side of the ship.

The Lymington to Yarmouth car ferry deployed its lifeboats after the passenger was spotted in the water, and was later joined by a Coastguard helicopter.

A spokesperson for Wightlink said: "As we understand it was an attempt at jumping into the water by a passenger.

"The crew managed to get them out of the water, but as a result that ferry had to be taken out of service so as to replace crucial equipment used in the rescue."

As previously reported the Incident has left a number of ferries on Wightlink's Lymington to Yarmouth crossing cancelled.

A spokesperson for the UK coastguard said: "We were informed that there was someone in the water around 10.27pm.

"The Coastguard rescue helicopter from Lee on Solent was sent to the area and the casualty was safely transported to hospital."

UPDATE 1.45pm: A spokesperson for the Isle of Wight Police said: "We were made aware by the HM Coastguard at 11.44am this morning of a man in the water between Lymington and Yarmouth.

"Officers have conducted enquiries in relation to this and no criminal offences have been identified."

 

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