Woman dies after being pulled from sea near hovercraft port

Officers do not believe the hovercraft to have been involved in any way at this time

(PA)

A 59-year-old woman has died after being pulled from the sea close to a hovercraft terminal in Southsea, Hampshire.

She was spotted unconscious in the water and a nearby passenger hovercraft was alerted to her presence at 5:30pm on Saturday. However, police say that the craft was not involved in the incident.

Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (Gafirs) recovered the woman from the water and she was taken to hospital where she later died.

A Hampshire Police spokesman said: “We were called shortly after 5.45pm on Saturday 24 April to a report that a woman was unconscious in the water on Clarence Esplanade, Southsea.

“Officers attended and a 59-year-old woman was taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital. Despite best efforts, she was sadly pronounced dead on Saturday evening.”

“Next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.”