THIS WEEK IN 1976: Helicopter rescues three from sea

A Royal Navy search and rescue helicopter from HMS Daedalus, Lee-on-the-Solent, airlifted a young woman and her two teenage male companions from the sea at Gosport.

By The Newsroom

Published 24th Jul 2017, 07:00 BST

Updated 12th Sep 2017, 12:23 BST

jpns-22-07-17 retro July 2017

Sea rescue - Leading Aircrewman Diver Chris Crossley winches one of the teenagers to the safety of a Solent search and rescue helicopter. — jpns-22-07-17 retro July 2017 Sea rescue - Leading Aircrewman Diver Chris Crossley winches one of the teenagers to the safety of a Solent search and rescue helicopter.

The trio, who were all wearing lifejackets, were Tim Cook and Simon Alexander, both from Southsea, and Patricia Parker, a resident in the Portsmouth YMCA.

They were swept away from their YMCA sailing dinghy in choppy seas off Gilkicker.

HM coastguard, Calshott, alerted the helicopter which was already airbourne on a routine flight.

Miss Parker had to be rescued by the helicopter team’s diver and Mr Cook and Mr Alexander were hoisted aboard.