Large emergency response to incidents in Newhaven and Seaford

Four coastguard teams, Newhaven RNLI, police and the ambulance service were alerted to the incidents.

At 9.42pm on Monday (July 20), Newhaven RNLI’s lifeboat and volunteer crew was launched following reports of a person cut off by the tide between Splash Point and the steps at Hope Gap in Seaford.

Several legs of shoreline search were made using all available equipment, but no casualties were sighted.

The lifeboat was then tasked at 10.45pm to look for a vulnerable adult, known to be missing and emotionally distressed.

Crews were assisted by Sussex Police and HM Coastguard from Newhaven, Shoreham, Eastbourne and Birling Gap.

The person was successfully located in the vicinity of NCI Newhaven lookout.

The third and final shout for the night came in at 12.10am. Lifeboat crews were called to search the River Ouse for a reported vulnerable and emotionally distressed adult.

Newhaven Port Authority assisted in the search along the towpath. It used cameras to help identify the missing person to their description. The person was located ashore by the lifeboat.

Crews remained on scene until HM Coastguard and Sussex Police arrived to take over.

Coxswain, Lewis Arnold, said: “It’s been everything you might expect for a full moon. We are happy to have located the casualties and hope they will find the positive support they require.

“We’re living in a challenging time. Keeping an eye out for others can save a life.

“If you spot anyone in difficulty in water or on the coast, please call 999 immediately and ask for the coastguard.”

Sussex Police confirmed officers were called to a medical incident in Newhaven at 11.32pm where a man called in threatening to self-harm.

A spokesman said: “He was located about 30 minutes later and handed into the care of medical professionals.”

South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) confirmed it was alerted to the incident in Newhaven but was stood down and the person was assisted by police.

You can contact Samaritans 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Call 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org. They can help.

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