AN ISLE of Wight lifeboatman jumped into the sea early today to rescue a man who was clinging to a wall.

The man, who had a head wound and also appeared to have suffered rib injuries, was clutching a metal ladder on the seawall at The Parade, Cowes.

Cowes lifeboatman Mark Harker, 45, said the man appeared reluctant to let go or climb to the top of the ladder.

Mr Harker added: "He had his arm around one of the rungs and the water was up to his chest. The lifeboat came in close, at which point I entered the water and tried to coax him off the ladder.

"The water was very cold and the casualty was heading towards hypothermia.

"Eventually he let go of the ladder and I held on to him as we floated away from the seawall. I'm told I was in the water for about 20 minutes."

Mr Harker said the casualty was taken aboard the lifeboat and put ashore, where he was transferred to a waiting ambulance.

He added: "I'm not 100-per-cent sure how or why he ended up in the water but he was very lucky. If the tide had been any lower he'd have hit the rocks and snapped both legs.

"We don't normally enter the water ourselves - it's only done as a last resort - but I felt it would do me no harm. I had all the resources I needed."

A lifeboat spokesman added: "Cowes Lifeboat was launched just after 1.30am today to assist a man in the water, further along Cowes Parade.

"The lifeboat took a very short time to arrive at the scene, where it was apparent that police and coastguards were already talking to the man, who was clinging to the side of seawall.

"Cowes lifeboat could manoeuvre close in, whereupon Mark Harker jumped into the sea to assist.

"It took some time to assess the man’s condition and the best course of action, after which he was recovered to Cowes lifeboat and swiftly brought ashore at the nearby station, and transferred to a waiting ambulance."