Dangerous debris on Hastings seabed could have caused 'very serious injury'

A dangerous object in the sea at Hastings, which could have caused serious injury to swimmers, has been removed.
The dangerous object was removed on Thursday. Picture: Hastings Borough CouncilThe dangerous object was removed on Thursday. Picture: Hastings Borough Council
The dangerous object was removed on Thursday. Picture: Hastings Borough Council

On Thursday morning, paddleboarders reported exposed metal work and concrete on the seabed to Hastings Borough Council which was only visible at the lowest tide.

A council spokesman said the debris was metal reinforced concrete, which was thought to have come from an old groyne or other old sea defences.

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The council said it could have caused 'very serious injury or worse' to bathers and those in the sea.

The dangerous object was removed on Thursday. Picture: Hastings Borough CouncilThe dangerous object was removed on Thursday. Picture: Hastings Borough Council
The dangerous object was removed on Thursday. Picture: Hastings Borough Council

Members of the council's foreshore team were called to the scene to remove the dangerous object on Thursday evening before anybody was injured.

Cllr Colin Fitzgerald, lead councillor for the foreshore, said: “Our foreshore team went to the spot at the next low tide on Thursday evening, and found the debris. It had been below the surface of the water when they arrived, and there were a group of young people bathing nearby; if they had swum into the jagged metalwork they could have suffered very serious injury indeed.

“Our colleagues were able to remove the metalwork embedded into concrete straight away. The prompt actions of the paddleboarders, and quick response of our foreshore team, meant that the danger was removed and no-one was hurt. I am very grateful to the paddleboarders for letting us know of the danger, and to our foreshore team for reacting so quickly.”