Major rescue mission launched after a ‘number of people in difficulty’ in sea off Withernsea

A major rescue operation has been launched after ‘several people’ were reported to be in distress off the coast of Withernsea.

Emergency crews were called to the area off the East Yorkshire coast just after 3pm on Friday afternoon.

According to reports, the response included HM Coastguard, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Humberside Police and Humberside Fire and Rescue.

A rescue helicopter, air ambulance and another aircraft have also been deployed and Withernsea’s RNLI coastal lifeboat, Bridlington and an all-weather lifeboat from Hornsea Coastal Rescue are also on hand.

A large cordon was established along the seafront for a major rescue operation involving more than 100 emergency service personnel.

The incident comes as a yellow weather warning for snow and ice was issued on the Yorkshire coast.

While the snowfall is expected to result in showers overnight, the Met Office reported that approximately 1 to 3 cm of snow will fall, and up to 8 cm of snow may fall in places.

This is due to the polar cold.HE Met Office We expect daytime temperatures across the UK to struggle to exceed 0C (32F) and even fall into minus double digits in the coming days.

Emergency service response includes police and HM Coastguard

A series of blue lights flash on the seashore as the rescue operation continues

HM Coastguard helicopter flies over the sea as part of rescue operation

This comes just a day after people were not allowed into the sea for the annual New Year’s Day swimming event due to large waves breaking.

Hornsea Inshore Rescue wrote on Facebook on Thursday: ‘Unfortunately the sea conditions today were not suitable for us to allow anyone to enter the water, with the tide still running and large waves breaking at the edge we had to make the unfortunate decision not to dive.’

Local resident Darrin Stevens told the BBC he saw lots of emergency crews near the beach on Friday, adding: ‘Just blue lights, wall to wall from one side to the other.’

HM Coastguard confirmed reports of the incident were received at around 3.10pm.

A spokesman told ITV News: ‘An HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft were dispatched, as well as Coastguard Rescue Teams from Withernsea, Hornsea and Hull.

‘RNLI’s coastal lifeboat from Withernsea and all-weather lifeboat from Bridlington are assisting, as well as Hornsea Coastal Rescue.

An air ambulance was also sent as well as the ‘Yorkshire Ambulance Service’. Humberside Police and Humberside Fire and Rescue are also present.’

According to the information obtained, the incident continues as of 17.00 this evening.

Teams from all emergency services are participating in the large-scale operation

Flight path of the Coast Guard helicopter flying over the area as part of a rescue mission

Coast Guard plane tours the region as part of the operation

Hornsea Coastal Rescue confirmed on social media that it had sent casualty care staff to the scene due to ‘appalling conditions’ in the water.

A post shared on Facebook read: ‘We have been called out, unable to launch the lifeboat due to appalling conditions and ten foot waves breaking on our slipway, knocking the tractor and trailer over the side of the ramp.

‘Our 4×4 vehicle [is] We set off for Withernsea with the casualty care team.’

The tour route planned to be held on Saturday has been canceled due to the ongoing event and cold weather.

The incident occurred a day after a man died after getting into trouble while swimming in the sea on New Year’s Day.

The swimmer, in his 50s, was taken out of the water after he was seen struggling west of Brighton Palace Pier at around 10.30am.