RNLI and coastguard called amid fears 'seven people' were stranded on sandbank at sea near Hayling Island

A team from Eastney’s RNLI lifeboat station were called out to East Winner Bank, a large sand bank that can stretch out more almost a mile from the south coast of Hayling island during low tide, at 12.30pm following a report of ‘seven people’ having become stranded on it.

Responders from Hayling Island’s coastguard rescue team were also deployed on land to help those reportedly stuck.

However, following a search at sea for more than 30 minutes, nobody could be found in difficulty and the operation was stood down, the RNLI said.

Aaron Gent, spokesman for Portsmouth RNLI Lifeboat Station, said: ‘It was reported that seven people were stuck. That was a bit surprising. When we got there, we couldn’t see anyone.

‘We spent about half an hour searching around but we couldn’t find the group of people reported.’

Richard Coates, 74, of Brights Lane, Hayling Island, had witnessed ‘40 people’ on the sandbank before the tide came in.

He said: ‘There was a large number of people all the way in the distance. They just looked like little specs. I was worried they wouldn’t get back in time.’

He added: ‘This can be a dangerous area. There are strong under-currents there. It has taken lives – although not recently.’

Mr Gent has since urged people to be careful when venturing out onto the sandbank and advised those that do to check tide times.

‘Things can change rapidly at East Winner,’ he added. ‘When the tide does change it comes in behind you then in front of you. It will cut you off from the mainland before without you noticing.’

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