Fake skeleton among Isle of Wight coastguard April callouts

On April 1, the Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) was tasked alongside Ventnor CRT and the Bembridge RNLI lifeboat to reports of a person stuck in mud.

Once on the scene, at Nodes Point in St Helens, the rescue team located the casualty on the beach near the Priory Hotel.

The man had managed to free himself from the mud and was making his way home.

Coastguard responding to man stuck in mud (Image: Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team)

On April 4, Bembridge and Ventnor CRT were sent to investigate a possible large-scale cliff fall near Luccombe.

Thankfully, no cliff fall was located, but the informant did the right thing by calling 999 and advising the coastguard of their concerns.

• Read more: Coastguard update after fears of landslip in Luccombe

HM Coastguard vehicle (Image: PA)

On April 7, a medical incident on Culver Parade in Sandown saw a multi-agency response.

Alongside Bembridge CRT were Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat, the IW Ambulance Service and 111 Service and Ventnor CRT.

The coastguard rescue helicopter from Lee on Solent also attended the scene.

• Read more: Medical emergency sees helicopter land on beach

Coastguard rescue helicopter on Culver Parade (Image: Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team)

On April 11, the Bembridge team were tasked alongside the RNLI and IW police, to investigate a possible skeleton floating off Appley Tower in Ryde.

After several reports, the skeleton was found at Puckpool Park.

Once on the scene, emergency teams were relieved to find the item was fake yet very realistic.

Fake skeleton found off Puckpool Park (Image: Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team)

On April 13, Bembridge RNLI and police teams assisted the CRT with an incident on Bembridge Beach.

A cordon and scene lighting were put in place.

• Read more: Grisly beach find was NOT human remains confirm Home Office

The rescue team on Bembridge Beach (Image: Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team)

Read more: 

• Three hurt after speedboat crashes — including one in Cowes
• Investigation clears up confusion after three hurt in East Cowes boat crash

On April 20, a large-scale operation saw both Bembridge and Ventnor CRT teams join with Cowes RNLI lifeboat and the coastguard rescue helicopter.

Following a vessel collision inside Cowes Harbour, an extensive search was carried out with assistance from Red Funnel.

The vessel involved was located on the mainland by Hill Head Coastguard Rescue Team.​

The coastguard team searching on East Cowes Esplanade (Image: Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team)