Mudeford RNLI and Lymington Coastguard in lengthy missing-person search

MUDEFORD RNLI and Lymington coastguard were among rescue teams in an extensive land and sea missing person search on Saturday morning.

With volunteers called out shortly before 5am, the Mudeford Servant lifeboat covered 60 miles during five-and-a-half hours before the casualty was found.

A shoreline search was initially carried out from Avon Beach to Barton before moving out to sea.

Following a crew changeover at 8am, Mudeford's search was expanded to cover Bournemouth and Poole, working with the Poole lifeboat.

Lymington, Southbourne and Poole coastguards continued shoreline searches aided by the Lee-on-Solent helicopter.

The lifeboats and helicopter were stood down at 10.20am when the missing person was found conscious but needing attention.

Mudeford lifeboat helm Andy Read said afterwards: “The multi-agency working with our local [coastguard rescue teams] and helicopter was really effective and it was a great outcome.”