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April 12, 2005
Burnham RNLI crew retrieve distressed man from Bridgwater Bay

Burnham-On-Sea RNLI's Staines Whitfield lifeboat was called out at 10pm on Tuesday (April 12) after a man was spotted neck-deep in the freezing cold waters of Bridgwater Bay.

While the lifeboat waited at the top of the town's jetty, six RNLI crew members edged out into the sea using a safety line, as shown in our photograph.

The distressed 21-year-old Highbridge man was safely brought back to shore where he was wrapped in a blanket and given a check-over.

The Coastguard confirmed that he was suffering from mild hypothermia and he was treated at the scene by paramedics.

A police officer added that the man was not believed to be under the influence of alcohol but "had appeared to be suicidal."

The spokesman added that the casualty had been in the sea for no longer than 11-12 minutes before being brought ashore. The swift action of both the Coastguard and RNLI teams was praised.

The alarm had been raised by Burnham Police shortly before 22:00 and the Coastguard decided to call on the RNLI's help at 22:03. Burnham's lifeboat was stood down at around 22:25.

This incident was the fourth call-out of 2005 for Burnham-On-Sea RNLI.

RELATED LINKS:

August 24, 2004 Burnham RNLI call-out after suicide threat [Aug 24, 2004]

Burnham-On-Sea RNLI Home Page