Arrest as BMW driver is rescued after jumping into Haslar Marina in bid to dodge police - sparking major coastguard search

A DRIVER who failed to stop for police dived into Gosport waterfront sparking a coastguard helicopter search to fish him out of a marina.
ron Melton
By ron Melton
Published 1st Feb 2020, 07:51 BST
Updated 2nd Feb 2020, 13:10 BST
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Coastguard teams from Portsmouth and Hill Head, Ministry of Defence police, Hampshire police, the Gosport Lifeboat and paramedics were all tasked to the incident just before 9pm on Friday.

After a search lasting more than an hour the man was found clinging to a boat in the marina and was pulled from the water to safety, the coastguard said.

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He was treated at the scene by paramedics and taken to hospital.

Police have now confirmed the driver of a black BMW failed to stop at 8.45pm.

When the 34-year-old man from Gosport was found in the water he was taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital for treatment.

A police spokeswoman said: ‘A 29-year-old man, from Gosport, was arrested on suspicion of obstructing a police officer in execution of duty.’

Pictures show the emergency services including police and HM Coastguard helicopter in Gosport searching for a man who reportedly dumped his car near Haslar Marina and jumped into the sea on January 31, 2020. Picture: Chris BestPictures show the emergency services including police and HM Coastguard helicopter in Gosport searching for a man who reportedly dumped his car near Haslar Marina and jumped into the sea on January 31, 2020. Picture: Chris Best
Pictures show the emergency services including police and HM Coastguard helicopter in Gosport searching for a man who reportedly dumped his car near Haslar Marina and jumped into the sea on January 31, 2020. Picture: Chris Best

He has been released but is under investigation.

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As the incident unfolded a police cordon was set up at the car park next to Haslar Marina.

An image from the scene shows a black BMW with its rear lights on being kept inside the police tape, with a police car parked directly behind it.

Meanwhile officers with bicycles stood at the water’s edge, where police and the coastguard were carrying out searches below.

Police in Haslar Marina during the search for a person in the water on January 31 2020. Picture: Dave SwateridgePolice in Haslar Marina during the search for a person in the water on January 31 2020. Picture: Dave Swateridge
Police in Haslar Marina during the search for a person in the water on January 31 2020. Picture: Dave Swateridge

Delivery driver Dave Swateridge said: ‘I don’t know what’s happened but whoever was driving this car dumped it when they realised it was a dead end and then jumped into Haslar Marina to get away from the police.’

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Gosport Police added on Twitter: ‘Following an incident at Haslar Marina this evening, involving partners from other emergency services, we are able to report that a male, who had entered the water, has now been rescued and taken to hospital.’

Video from the scene, above, was captured by Chris Best.