'Drunk' man risks life swimming in front of 400 tonne cargo ship in River Blyth 'because it's cheaper than going to local pool'

  • RNLI volunteers, police and the local coastguard attended the scene
  • Man initially refused the assistance of RNLI lifeboat personnel
  • Swimmer said he swam in river as it was 'cheaper' than 'local pool'

This is the moment a rescue operation was launched after a swimmer narrowly missed being hit by a 4,000 tonne cargo ship in the River Blyth because he said it  was a 'cheaper' swim than the local pool.

Volunteers from Blyth RNLI, police and the local coastguard team all attended the scene. It is believed the man was drunk when he risked his life and entered the water.

The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon and it prompted a safety warning from the RNLI’s volunteer crew at Blyth who urged people not to risk their lives.

The swimmer was observed by a port employee and a person on the shore as well as a port employee who was involved in the berthing of the Karla C.

The two observers said they had seen a person swimming in the river near the cargo ship just after 3pm as it was being ferried by a local pilot vessel to Battleship Wharf in the Port of Blyth.

The video and pictures of the rescue operation were taken by on-board cameras moments after the near fatal collision with large cargo vessel Karla C. 

Rescue operation: An RNLI volunteer gets into the lifeboat as they launch their rescue operation

Rescue operation: An RNLI volunteer gets into the lifeboat as they launch their rescue operation

View from lifeboat: A picture of the inside of the RNLI lifeboat as they depart in search of the swimmer

View from lifeboat: A picture of the inside of the RNLI lifeboat as they depart in search of the swimmer

The cargo ship had just travelled from the port of Vilanova in Spain and it was nearing the end of its voyage and travelling at a relatively slow speed when the swimmer was first spotted near the ship. 

A lifeboat was subsequently launched from Blyth and three volunteers were sent to attend the scene. Despite their presence and their warnings about the dangers involved the man refused to get into the lifeboat and rejected their assistance.

The swimmer, who appeared to be drunk, then told the volunteers, 'I'm coming for a swim in here because its cheaper than the local pool.' 

Rescue: The RNLI lifeboat speeds along as it makes its journey towards the swimmer in the River Blyth

Rescue: The RNLI lifeboat speeds along as it makes its journey towards the swimmer in the River Blyth

The man was informed of the presence of a plethora  of smaller boats which were working on the river and he was warned that they could pose a threat to his safety. 

After some discussion between the volunteers and the swimmer the man eventually took their advice and he swam towards a ladder and made his way to safety.

Immediately after the incident the police and the local coastguard team spoke to the swimmer.

Blyth RNLI Deputy Launching Authority (DLA) Paul Raine told ChronicleLive: 'Is it really worth risking your life going swimming in the cold water of a working harbour to save paying a few pounds to visit the local heated swimming pool?' 

Erratic swimmer: The man makes his way towards the ladder after he has been warned by the RNLI

Erratic swimmer: The man makes his way towards the ladder after he has been warned by the RNLI

Operation: The local coastguard were among a number of units at the scene along with the police and the RNLI

Operation: The local coastguard were among a number of units at the scene along with the police and the RNLI

  

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