Woman injured in Hastings Christmas swim dies

12:32pm Wednesday 26th December 2012 in News By Ben Leo, reporter

A Hastings woman injured during a Christmas Day swim in the sea has died.

The lady was knocked off her feet by a wave and hit her head on a groyne at Hastings Beach about 10.40am yesterday.

Lifeboat crews pulled her unconscious body from the water before she was taken to hospital. She had been described as being in "poor health."

Sussex Police confirmed today the woman had died.

A spokesman from the force said: "At 10.40am yesterday an adult female was paddling in the sea at Hastings when it appears that she was hit by a wave and taken a short distance out to sea.

"The lady was recovered and given emergency CPR before being taken to a local hospital. Sadly she has died as a result of this incident."

It's thought the woman was with a small group of swimmers who had decided to brave the chilly weather and take a festive plunge.

A Dover Coastguard spokesman described how after hitting her head, she lay "face down in the water for some time."

He added: "The winds were gusting around 50 knots. It was not suitable for swimming or small craft."

Around 100 spectators flocked to Brighton beach yesterday in hope of witnessing the traditional Christmas Day swim. They were left disappointed when nobody entered the water following safety advice from Brighton and Hove City Council.

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Last year a drowning man was rescued on Brighton beach in similar conditions and in 2007, 12 people were rescued, again when the weather was windy with treacherous waves.

Comments(9)

ArundelTerrazzo says...
1:09pm Wed 26 Dec 12

I hope this sad news proves to disbelievers that the decision taken by Brighton and Hove City Council to close the beach was the right one.

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sussexram40 says...
1:31pm Wed 26 Dec 12

Yes very tragic. And the right decision by B&H CC. Perhaps a life saving decision.

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lordenglandofsussex says...
3:41pm Wed 26 Dec 12

ArundelTerrazzo wrote:
I hope this sad news proves to disbelievers that the decision taken by Brighton and Hove City Council to close the beach was the right one.
Closing the beach is another fine example of the Socialist Peoples' Republic Of B&H.

You cannot stop peoples' liberty to do what they wish as long a they don't endanger other people. Live and let live whatever danger they may put themselves in.

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sussexram40 says...
4:36pm Wed 26 Dec 12

People needing to be rescued from the sea in dangerous conditions does endanger other people though. The rescuers face dangers,not to mention the costs. Councils etc have a moral responsibility to protect people from obvious dangers.

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Dave in Hastings says...
8:08pm Wed 26 Dec 12

lordenglandofsussex wrote:
ArundelTerrazzo wrote:
I hope this sad news proves to disbelievers that the decision taken by Brighton and Hove City Council to close the beach was the right one.
Closing the beach is another fine example of the Socialist Peoples' Republic Of B&H.

You cannot stop peoples' liberty to do what they wish as long a they don't endanger other people. Live and let live whatever danger they may put themselves in.
A person has lost their life, probably leaving loved ones and friends to grieve, and you come out with drivel like this. You disgusting excuse for a human being.

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funkyyoyo says...
2:57am Thu 27 Dec 12

anyone going into the sea this time of year needs help! the sudden drop in temp can reduce your body heat in minutes! literally and hyper will set in in minutes, the fact the lady hit her head on a groyne is an example and proof why you never mess with the sea,a wave is all it takes,and the sea can be a very misgiving dangerous enviroment! im all for closing the beach

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Ihopenoonehasthisusername says...
11:02am Thu 27 Dec 12

Dave in Hastings wrote:
lordenglandofsussex wrote:
ArundelTerrazzo wrote:
I hope this sad news proves to disbelievers that the decision taken by Brighton and Hove City Council to close the beach was the right one.
Closing the beach is another fine example of the Socialist Peoples' Republic Of B&H.

You cannot stop peoples' liberty to do what they wish as long a they don't endanger other people. Live and let live whatever danger they may put themselves in.
A person has lost their life, probably leaving loved ones and friends to grieve, and you come out with drivel like this. You disgusting excuse for a human being.
A disgusting excuse for a human being?? Have a word with yourself. People died in a car crash on Christmas day....maybe we should close all the roads.

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getThisCoalitionOut says...
3:18pm Thu 27 Dec 12

If people are so stupid to go swimming when it's obviously not the weather to do so, then so be it. But what really angers me is that other people then have the job to rescue them on Christmas day, when they should be with their families relaxing, they've got to put their lives in danger rescuing these pillicks of society - it is so selfish of them to do this. At least this one won't be around anymore to do this.

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voiceofthescoombe says...
4:42pm Thu 27 Dec 12

If your a higly experinced sea swimmer you might get away with it.
To lose your life doing something that seems like a bit of a laugh is tragic.
Banning something because its very dangerous and very risky to try to rescue someone in those conditions is not HAnd S gone mad its a proper risk assesment.

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