Man arrested following dramatic sea rescue

Friday 22 July 2016

Firefighters have praised “selfless” hero Lucas Parker for saving the life of a man following a dramatic sea rescue this morning.

They received an emergency call at 6.20am after a car became submerged near the slip way at Greve D’Azette. Earlier, the car and boat are believed to have been stolen by a 31-year-old man who was saved by Mr Parker - and the man, who has not yet been named by police, has now been released from hospital and has been arrested in connection with the incident. He has been detained at police headquarters.

By the time firefighters arrived at the scene the police were already there and the car was under water. Specialist divers went down to check that no one was trapped. 

Another partly submerged boat was visible from the shoreline with two men on board. The inshore rescue boat was launched and one of the men, passer-by Lucas Parker, pictured above, had earlier dived into the sea in order to rescue a man who was struggling in the water. Our pictures show how the tale unfolded this morning in front of stunned onlookers.  Heating engineer and plumber Mr Parker was passing by the scene with a friend when they noticed the man in danger and dived into the sea to help. 

Mr Parker, of Marrett Court, said: "It was just something I did on instinct really. I was running along the beach with a mate when we noticed what was going in. It is then that fight or flight kicks in and I stripped down and dived into the sea. I know the area well and I know the riptides aren't too bad there. Whether I would have done the same thing at somewhere like Plemont I'm not so sure. Anyway, I dived in, got to the man, who was disorientated when I got to him. I put my arm under his neck as they show you to do, and helped him. I'm just happy to have helped. I got home and told my girlfriend and I'm not sure she believed me - she does now!" 

Both men were picked up by the rescue boat and the submerged boat was towed back to the shoreline.  

Paramedics at the scene attended the two men and one, a 31-year-old, was taken by ambulance to hospital. 

Crew Commander Craig Channing today praised the actions of the hero. He said: “There is no doubt that the swift and selfless actions of the passer by saved this young person’s life. By swimming out and rescuing the casualty and climbing aboard the partly submerged vessel with the casualty, he ensured the casualty had the best chance of survival and his actions are to be commended.”

“A lot of different agencies who all came together to resolve this incident.”

The cause of this incident is currently being investigated by States of Jersey Police in liaison with Jersey Coastguard.

A witness said the incident began when a car was driven down the slipway to launch a boat, but the car became submerged. The boat then floated out to sea with the 31-year-old man clinging to the side.

An eyewitness said: "As far as I know it all happened when a man in a car tried to reverse a boat down the slipway. Somehow or other the car got stuck in the sand and the boat floated away, with a man on board. By the time I got there the car was almost up to its windows in the water, but the rescue services were there trying to get the car out and the man was also rescued. I don't think anyone has been injured but the boat is still submerged and there was a fair crowd watching what was going on."

States of Jersey Police can confirm they are now carrying out an investigation into the theft of a green Toyota Hilux vehicle and trailered ski boat from the parking area of La Collette Marina at 5.30am. 

 The Police are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen the vehicle on the road towing the boat from the area of La Colette to The Rice Bowl at Greve D’Azette.

Any person who has any information or knowledge with regards to this incident is asked to either contact CID at Police Headquarters on 612200 or alternatively Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.