A MAN pulled from the sea was pronounced dead on Shanklin beach this afternoon, despite the best efforts of service teams.
Crews from Bembridge and Ventnor Coastguard rescue assisted the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service with a medical emergency after the man, reportedly in his 70s, was seen in difficulty in the sea.
The coastguard helicopter also attended the incident on the busy Esplanade, where a number of people were enjoying a day on the beach.
At around 4pm, an eyewitness told our reporter at the scene that a man had been dragged out of the sea and was unresponsive.
A spokesperson from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "At 3.39pm today, HM Coastguard received a report of a person in the water at Shanklin Esplanade, near Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club.
"The person required medical attention and we have been assisting the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service.
"We sent Ventnor and Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Teams - and also tasked the HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Lee-on-Solent. A medical helicopter is also en-route to the scene."
The incident is not being treated as suspicious.
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