June 14th, 2017.



Newhaven’s Severn Class lifeboat ‘RNLB David and Elizabeth Acland’ and her volunteer crew were on their weekly morning exercise on Sunday when they were diverted to reports of an injured jet skier below Seaford Head.

The distress call came in at 11:31 am. The lifeboat made best speed and was on scene at 11:45am. The injured jet skier had hit a submerged obstacle and suffered a suspected broken leg. The casualty had managed to get ashore and scramble onto a small cliff ledge to escape the incoming tide.

Local Coastguard teams lowered a technician down the cliffs and recovered the casualty. He was then handed over to the waiting Paramedics at the cliff top.

Newhaven lifeboat stood by but was not needed on this occasion. Once the casualty was safely recovered at 1:00pm the lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 2:00pm.

A spokesperson for the UK Coastguard said: ‘We commend the fact that the jet skier was wearing a lifejacket and an appropriate wetsuit, which is exactly what we would recommend to anyone taking to the water on one of these crafts. His companion who phoned 999 and asked for the Coastguard also did exactly the right thing, which ensured our quick response to the scene’