Teenager rescued from sand bank by lifeboat crews (From Essex County Standard)

Teenager rescued from sand bank by lifeboat crews

4:51pm Friday 27th April 2012 in News

A TEENAGE swimmer suffering from hypothermia was rescued by lifeboat crews after getting into difficulty in the sea off St Osyth.

Clacton RNLI’s D-Class lifeboat was called to the aid of the 18-year-old, who is from the St Osyth area, at 2.10pm on Friday.

The teenager managed to get to a sandbank at Sandy Point, off Point Clear, as helmsman Ray Lynaugh and crew members Darren Simper and Bruce Hurten made their way to the scene.

Brightlingsea harbourmaster and a wind farm support vessel were unable to get to the sandbank, but kept an eye on the teenager while the inshore lifeboat made its way there.

Mr Lynaugh said: “When we got there we found the 18-year-old in a hypothermic condition.

“We got him wrapped up and put a life jacket on him, before getting him on the boat and taking him to Beacon Heights at Point Clear to waiting paramedics.

“His body temperature had dropped to 33.8C and he was very cold, but he should be OK.”

The swimmer was taken by the East of England Ambulance Service to Colchester General Hospital for treatment.

It is understood the teen has been swimming more than a mile in a swimming pool and had decided to try his hand at swimming in the sea.

The crew returned to Clacton lifeboat station by 4.10pm.