Both RNLI Eastbourne lifeboats were called into action on Saturday morning tasked to two separate incidents
Initially the inshore lifeboat was requested to launch by Dover Coastguard to assist with the recovery of a body from the beach below Beachy Head cliffs. An abandoned car was discovered at the famous beauty spot yesterday afternoon and despite a thorough search of the area by the cliff rescue team no one was found. The casualty was eventually spotted from the cliff top early this morning. This incident is not connected to the tragic loss of the young man from Newhaven earlier this week. Whilst the volunteer crew were dealing with this incident Dover Coastguard were receiving telephone calls from members of the public alerting them to a developing situation off Eastbourne pier. Two kayakers were observed in the water frantically waving for assistance. With the ILB already on service it was necessary to launch the all-weather lifeboat to assist. When on scene the lifeboat found that one of the kayakers had managed to clamber back aboard his craft but his companion, unable to follow, was clinging onto the craft whilst his colleague attempted to paddle. The kayaker in the water was recovered to the safety of the ALB where his condition was assessed by the lifeboat paramedic. Despite being in the water for over 30 minutes further medical care was not required. The ALB stood by as the kayak returned to the beach where it was met by mobile coastguard officers. The other kayaker returned to Sovereign Harbour aboard the ALB.
