Man is rescued after pier 'prank'

A man has been rescued off the Isle of Wight after apparently jumping into the sea as a prank on a night out.

His cries for help could be heard as he clung to the underside of Ryde Pier, a Solent Coastguard spokesperson said.

It is thought the man, in his 20s, jumped off the pier and his friends raised the alarm when they lost sight of him in the water.

A lifeboat from Ryde rescued the man and he was taken to a waiting ambulance where he was treated for hypothermia.

Alcohol and the sea simply do not mix Matt West Solent Coastguard

Matt West, Solent Coastguard watch officer, said: "This man was extremely fortunate.

"The tide was almost at high water and had it been approaching low water he would have hit the ground beneath.

"The water temperature was only 8C. Had he been in the water much longer this night out could have turned to tragedy.

"Alcohol and the sea simply do not mix, on this occasion he was lucky that all involved acted so quickly."