Lifeboat called out to rescue only to find deflated pink balloons

Teams raced to the scene between the Sugar Boat and Greenock, arriving less than ten minutes after the call was made.

Helensburgh lifeboat called out to River Clyde rescue only to find deflated pink balloons — Balloon find: HM Coastguard requested the presence of RNLI Helensburgh on Monday, July 15. Helensburgh RNLI/Facebook

19th Jul 2024

Posted in

Argyll and Bute

A lifeboat unit was called out to a potential rescue only to find deflated pink balloons in the water.

HM Coastguard requested the presence of RNLI Helensburgh on Monday, July 15 around 9.18pm following a report of a microlight aircraft or paraglider plunging into the River Clyde.

Teams raced to the scene between the Sugar Boat and Greenock, arriving less than ten minutes after the call was made.

Greenock Coastguard Rescue Team and the RNLI, however, only found large deflated pink balloons and returned to their station.

RNLI Helensburgh said: “Our lifeboat was called out on Monday evening at 9.18pm.

“HM Coastguard requested the launch following a report of a microlight aircraft or paraglider ditching into the Clyde somewhere between the Sugarboat and Greenock.

“Arriving on scene at 9.26pm the crew carried out a search of the area.

“They recovered a number of large pink deflated balloons before returning to the station.”

An HM Coastguard spokesperson said: “Greenock Coastguard Rescue Team and the RNLI’s inshore lifeboat from Helensburgh were sent to reports from members of the public of a paraglider in the Firth of Clyde near Greenock esplanade at about 9.10pm on July 15.

“The lifeboat crew confirmed it was a large inflatable balloon.”