Hovertravel Services Resume After Medical Emergency in Ryde

Hovertravel services were temporarily suspended this morning (Thursday) after a passenger on board the inbound Island Flyer hovercraft from Southsea became seriously unwell.

Emergency services were called to Hovertravel’s Ryde terminal on the Esplanade at around 11am.

Due to the severity of the situation, the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance — Helimed 21 — was dispatched and landed on the hover pad at Ryde to support paramedics and firefighters from Isle of Wight Ambulance Service and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service.

Police also attended, with a total of four police vehicles, an ambulance crew, a critical care paramedic, an operational commander, and a fire engine on the scene to assist with the emergency.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed officers were called by the ambulance service and attended to provide support.

The patient was later airlifted directly to the helipad at Queen Alexandra Hospital, bringing the incident to a close.

Hovertravel services have now resumed, with departures from Ryde at 1.15pm and from Southsea at 1.30 running to timetable.

Passengers affected by the disruption were advised that tickets would be accepted on Wightlink’s Fastcat service between Ryde Pier Head and Portsmouth Harbour.

The swift response from the air ambulance, local paramedics, firefighters, and police ensured the patient received urgent care as quickly as possible, highlighting the close coordination of emergency services on the Isle of Wight.