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Fears For Missing Swimmer Prompt Major Search Mission Off East Cowes

Concerns for a swimmer, feared missing, led to a major sea and air search off East Cowes late last night (Friday).

Three RNLI lifeboats, a coastguard helicopter and a land-based coastguard team scoured the area yesterday.

Rescue teams were alerted after a woman, in a very exhausted state, was helped out of the water at East Cowes, near the Albany Road junction, by an off-duty paramedic.

She was taken by ambulance to St Mary’s Hospital, Newport.

Items left on the beach suggested a second person could also have been in the water, Cowes RNLI said.

This prompted a thorough search.

Bembridge RNLI, and the Lee-on-Solent helicopter were all involved, searching the waters from East Cowes to Osborne Bay.

After a thorough search, which included the use of distress flares to illuminate the area, it was decided there was no second swimmer.

Nothing was found and rescue efforts were called off.

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