Body of woman in her 70s found on beach on Isle of Wight – Rescue helicopter dispatched to scene

The body of a woman has been found in water off a beach on the Isle of Wight.

Officers from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary attended the scene in town of Shanklin to a report that the body of a woman had been spotted in the water

The woman, believed to be in her 70s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her identity is currently unknown.

A Coastguard spokesperson said: “HM Coastguard responded to reports of a person in the water in Shanklin this morning, September 8.

“Alerted at around 9.30am, Bembridge and Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Teams, a lifeboat from Bembridge RNLI and the coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Lee-on-the-Solent were sent to the scene.”

A police spokesperson said: “Formal identification is yet to take place, however her next of kin have been informed and a file will be prepared for the coroner in relation to this unexpected death,”

More to come…