A MAN has been rescued after jumping off Penarth Pier.

The man jumped from the pier shortly after 10am this morning (September 1) into water which was flowing fast on an outward spring tide.

Penarth piermaster Peter Andrews saw the man jump and called 999 and alerted HM Coastguard, which tasked Penarth RNLI at 10.10am.

The man had drifted about quarter of a mile in about five minutes from the pier towards the lifeboat station.

Crew members, who happened to be at the station for a routine assessment, carried out an on-the-spot risk assessment and as the man was in imminent danger of both going under the water and being swept away into the fast-flowing currents of the Bristol Channel, crew members Karl Lawrence and Geraint Williams got into full lifeboat crew kit and lifejackets and swam out to the man. Meanwhile Penarth RNLI lifeboat was also launched.

Karl and Lawrence supported the casualty until a fishing vessel arrived which helped keep the casualty above water.

The RNLI lifeboat arrived minutes later and the man was brought aboard and returned safely to shore. He was breathing and conscious throughout and was not thought to have been badly injured.

Jason Dunlop, helmsman at Penarth RNLI, said: "This man was in imminent danger in strong currents on a fast flowing spring tide.

"Our volunteer crew members are highly trained in risk assessment and have an intricate knowledge of the waters in the area and given the seriousness of the situation it was decided two of the crew should swim out and keep the casualty afloat immediately.

"They entered the water in full protective equipment and lifejackets and in the knowledge the lifeboat would be on the scene within minutes. Their actions likely saved this man.

"Our advice to members of the public is never to enter the water if they see anyone in difficulty but rather to call 999 and ask for the coastguard."