A diver exploring a shipwreck off the west Dorset coast fell ill, prompting a major rescue operation. 

Lyme Regis lifeboat was launched today after reports that a diver was unconscious after he surfaced.

The alarm was raised at 2pm after the diver and his ‘buddy’  surfaced 10 miles from Lyme Regis off West Bexington.

The diver was winched from the Portland-based dive boat, Skin Deeper, to a coastguard helicopter and taken to Poole for treatment.

His ‘buddy’ Jeff Everett,67, was taken to Lyme Regis aboard the lifeboat and assessed by an ambulance crew at the lifeboat station and later allowed home.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

  • Lyme Regis lifeboat was launched and Mr Everett, pictured, was taken ashore. Picture: Richard Horobin

Mr Everett, from Warlingham, Surrey, and his colleague were diving on the wreck of a World War 2 ship, St Dunstan.

He said:”We dived to 28 metres and my colleague, to whom I was tethered, gave me a signal  that he was not ok so we started to ascend. Things seemed alright until we rose to about 10 metres when he did a rapid ascent and then I knew he was unwell.

“When we surfaced I inflated our lifejackets and we floated on our backs and signalled for help to our dive boat.”

Mr Everett, an accountant, has been diving for 40 years and added:”This was the first time I had been in any difficulty while diving. I have supported the RNLI for many years and I am very grateful for their help.”