Coastguard helicopter lands on Eastney beach amid reports of 'unconscious and seriously injured person' in water

Emergency services, including police and paramedics, attended an incident in Eastney shortly before 8pm.

Unconfirmed reports from eyewitnesses claimed a boy was seen with injuries to his head and leg and that paramedics had been treating him.

Coastguard officials confirmed a person was found ‘unconscious and in a serious condition’ in the water and that beach-goers ‘provided first aid’.

A coastguard helicopter landed on the beachfront, opposite Esplanade Gardens. However, the injured person was taken to hospital via ambulance.

In a statement on their Facebook page, Portsmouth coastguard rescue team said: ‘Team paged alongside coastguard rescue helicopter R175 after a person was pulled unconscious and in a serious condition from the water at Eastney beach. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance was also tasked to the scene.

‘The casualty was stabilised on the waters edge by crews from South Central Ambulance Service (Scas) NHS Foundation Trust and R175's winchman paramedic, with the decision made to transport the casualty to hospital by road.’

The injured person was carried to the ambulance by police and paramedics, the coastguard confirmed.

Dozens of people gathered on the promenade to watch the drama unfold, as the Esplanade was closed to traffic.

Matthew Bissaker was at the scene when the emergency services arrived.

He told The News: ‘Roads to the beach were blocked off by police cars and the coastguard helicopter only landed for a brief moment.

‘The only person I did see injured was a boy being carried by his friends towards the lined up ambulances.

‘It looked like he had some injuries towards his head but definitely had sustained an injury towards his leg.

‘It was bleeding quite heavily and it looked like he couldn't walk.’

A spokesman for HM Coastguard added: ‘At 7.50pm this evening, HM Coastguard sent the search and rescue helicopter from Lee-on-Solent and Portsmouth coastguard rescue team to assist at an incident at Southsea, following a report of a person in the water.

‘We assisted South Central Ambulance Service and Hampshire police at this incident in Southsea.’

It is unclear at this time how the injuries were sustained.

The News has approached Hampshire Constabulary and South Central Ambulance Service for a comment.

Updates to follow.

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