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
