Volunteer crew members at Burnham lifeboat station were saddened to learn that the man they rescued from being trapped underneath his yacht on Sunday 24th August, has since died. 

The man, who did not live locally, had fallen overboard from his sailing yacht near the mouth of the River Crouch, south of the Foulness Sand.

The lifeboat was on scene within a few minutes of receiving the emergency call as it was already launched to another incident nearby.  On arriving at the scene, the man was seen to be trapped underneath the yacht and the situation was assessed as very serious.  A member of the lifeboat crew immediately entered the water and cut the man free.  Once freed, he was then taken on board the lifeboat, where emergency first aid was given by the lifeboat crew, including CPR.  The lifeboat crew continued emergency first aid treatment until the helicopter arrived on scene.  The casualty was then airlifted to Colchester Hospital by RAF helicopter but he died shortly after arrival at the hospital.

Essex Marine Police and the crew of the RAF helicopter involved in the incident have praised the actions of the volunteer lifeboat crew who acted swiftly and professionally, doing all they could to try and save the man’s life. 

Lifeboat Operations Manager at Burnham, Dick Rycroft said “We are extremely sad to hear this news and all our thoughts are with the family of the gentleman who died.   I am very proud of our crew members who attended the scene.  They showed great courage and skill under difficult circumstances.  They did everything they possibly could to help the casualty and also support the remaining yacht crew once the man had been taken to hospital.”