Teenager rescued from sea at Pagham

In a statement it said the crew launched at 5.25pm following a report of a teenager in the sea close to Pagham yacht club.

The individual was recovered at 5.37pm and described as ‘conscious but extremely cold’.

It added: “The casualty was fully clothed so the ILB crew used a survival bag to protect him from the wind chill and water spray while they headed to the beach.

“The beach was reached at 5.44pm and the casualty was taken ashore with the help of Selsey Coastguard team to a waiting ambulance. The ILB crew spotted three people on Pagham spit while recovering the casualty and were concerned for their safety. With the arrival of the Coastguard rescue helicopter on scene both they and the ILB checked the spit but no one was seen.

“Sussex police confirmed it was two of their officers with another adult on the spit and were safely ashore so the Helicopter and the ILB were released from the incident at 5.59pm.”

The RNLI crew were Helmsman Rob Archibald, Colin Pullenger and Harry Emmence.