A TEENAGER was saved from drowning by “a chance in a million” when he was dragged unconscious from the sea by rescuers outside Watchet harbour last Friday.
The drama sparked off a massive rescue operation involving two helicopters, two lifeboats, rapid response vehicles, an ambulance, police, a trauma doctor, paramedics and a coastguard team.
The 17-year-old, thought to be a visitor to Watchet, was airlifted to Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, where yesterday (Thursday ) he was reported to still be in a critical condition.
Eyewitnesses said that a group of teenagers were “harbour jumping” into the water from the roundhead on the West Pier next to the lighthouse on Friday lunchtime when the boy swam into the harbour entrance and was carried out to sea by the strong ebb-tide.
A friend, also17, jumped into the water fully clothed to swim to his aid and horrified onlookers watched as the youngsters struggled against wind and tide and one disappeared under the water.
The teenagers, who have not been named, are thought to be holidaymakers and were unaware of the dangers of swimming in the harbour.
The pair were rescued by a Watchet-based inflatable safety boat chartered by EDF from SMS Ltd and heading for Hinkley Point
It was the last vessel to leave the marina before the lock-gate closed for eight hours until the next high tide.
“It was a chance in a million that the Hinkley boat was in the right place at the right time,” said Watchet charter skipper Steve Yeandle.
Full report in today’s Free Press (September 7).