Coastguards search River Medina following mayday distress call — thought to be hoax

Ventnor Coastguard and Needles Coastguard were among the emergency services tasked with freeing a boy from mud in the River Medina.

TWO coastguard units and a lifeboat were sent to the River Medina late last night (Saturday).

Units from Ventnor Coastguard and Bembridge Coastguard, and a Cowes RNLI lifeboat were dispatched to Island Harbour.

At 11pm, a spoken word mayday was heard on Channel 16 VHF — designated as a distress frequency — prompting the search.

The search commenced within the harbour and either side of the River Medina — the call is believed to be a hoax.

A spokesperson for Ventnor Coastguard said: "With nothing further seen or heard, units stood down.

"Following intelligence from security, it was believed to be a malicious call.

"Investigations have been passed to police."

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