Rescue alert for 130 charity swimmers

More than 130 swimmers were involved in the event off the coast of Southwold, in Suffolk, with initial reports fearing that up to 90 people were missing.

Four lifeboats and a rescue helicopter were scrambled to save the troubled swimmers at yesterday’s event.

After a sustained search all participants were accounted for but two people were taken to James Paget University Hospital, in Great Yarmouth, with suspected hypothermia.

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokeswoman said it was unclear how the swimmers got into trouble as weather conditions were fine although the water was “very cold”.

Onlookers spoke of weary swimmers being helped from the water and wrapped in towels, while a lifeboat hut close to the pier had been turned into a makeshift emergency centre.

Eyewitness James Dawson, from Dorset, told the reporters: “It was really, really tough conditions and people were coming out of the water looking exhausted.”

Part of the beach was cordoned off as some swimmers were rescued by lifeboat while a number of people swam to the shore themselves.

It is understood that the swimmers were taking part in the Southwold Pier to Pub Swim, which was taking place in aid of charity.

Organised in co-operation with Adnams of Southwold brewery, the swim was due to start at noon with the mile-long event ending with a visit to The Lord Nelson Pub.

It is understood that the organisers of the swim, who had contact details for all the swimmers taking part, were trying to telephone people to establish whether they had been accounted for.

As the calls were made, coastguards continued to search the water.

The final missing swimmer was accounted for and the search operation was called off at around 5.30pm.