A FALSE report of "struggling swimmers" sparked a major search and rescue operation off the Isle of Wight.
Solent Coastguard, acting on a report of people struggling to swim ashore at Ryde Pier, tasked various organisations, at around 2.45pm today (Saturday, August 10).
Read more: Coastguard rescue at Ryde seafront conducting search
The coastguard rescue helicopter was tasked to attend, alongside Bembridge and Ventnor Coastguard Rescue teams and Bembridge RNLI lifeboat.
A search operation was conducted, which concluded at 4.30pm "without any persons in difficulty being retrieved," said a Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson.
"A group of beach users thought to have been in the water at the time, were given advice by coastguards."
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