THIS WEEK IN 1999: Six are saved in Solent boat drama

The Isle of Wight lifeboat and a boat from Spitbank Fort all rallied round to rescue the six men who got into trouble while rowing in the craft from Southsea Rowing Club.

Three one-man sculls and one coxed four were being rowed on the water when Dominic Edwards, 21, capsized in one of the sculls. The other five went back out to help him and ended up needed rescuing themselves. 

Mr Edwards, of Nettlecombe Avenue, Southsea, said: '˜I tried to swim into shore but the channel was too strong.'

Martin Ickle, helmsman for the lifeboat, said: '˜There were no problems because it was still light. 

'˜If it had been dark, it would have been more difficult.'