First free fireworks of school summer holidays

by Nigel Brown Jul 26 2022 2     1,079
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July 25, 2022

 

The first free fireworks extravaganza of the school summer holidays was staged at Clacton Pier on Saturday night.

But the event was tinged with great sadness following the discovery of the body of a 21-year-old who had gone missing after swimming with a group of people off the beach to the east of the attraction four days earlier.

Four males and one female were rescued during the incident, but one man could not be found. His body was discovered off Jaywick on Saturday morning.

Nigel Brown, Clacton Pier’s Communications Manager, said everyone’s thoughts were with the family and friends of the man.

“A number of our staff were involved in helping to rescue four of those struggling in the sea off Clacton by throwing them life rings to hold onto until the Beach Patrol and RNLI could pick them up and take them to safety,” he said.

“It was a very difficult few days for all concerned and while the hopes were that something extraordinary had happened and he may have been safe, as time wore on we obviously feared the worst.

“We heard the news that the man’s body had been discovered early on Saturday and while it is tragic, at least he has now been recovered.”

Fortunately, the five who were rescued were all discharged after being taken to Colchester Hospital by ambulance.

The pier is continuing to offer help to any of its staff affected by the incident.

“We are extremely proud of the way all our staff involved played a significant role in helping four males struggling in the sea,” added Mr Brown.

“It could easily have been worse, and we could have been looking at more fatalities. Everyone, including the emergency services, Beach Patrol, by-standers and our employees worked together under very difficult circumstances.”

 Ends

PHOTO BY KEVIN JAY



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