Body found in Solent as missing jet-skier police investigation is ‘still ongoing’

A body was found in the Solent just before 11am yesterday after a joint mission with Hampshire police, the search and rescue helicopter from Lee-on-the-Solent and the Hill Head Coastguard Rescue Team, according to the Portsmouth News.

The family of Elezaj Shkelzen, who was last seen on a jet ski leaving Lymington for Langstone Harbour on August 4, has been informed but police have said formal identification is yet to take place.

A search for the 33-year-old from Oxfordshire took place last week, after his white and burgundy Yamaha Waverunner was spotted unmanned with a mobile phone still on board.

Police crews from HM Coastguard, RNLI lifeboats and volunteer rescue services were stood down after less than 24 hours.

Image Courtesy of GAFIRS

Cowes RNLI from the Isle of Wight described the rescue effort as one of the largest in the Solent ‘for some years’.

This comes as lifeboat crews from Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) urge the public to take extra precautions after a record 19 incidents in 12 days.

Over the last two weeks, the volunteer team based at Stokes Bay, Gosport, has attended six medical emergencies including a drowning, two spinal traumas, a serious head injury, a toddler who fell onto a lit BBQ and a child who collapsed outside the station. 

As well as the search for the jet skier, GAFIRS has also rescued a sinking vessel at the point the casualties prepared to abandon ship, and two jet skis which had crashed into each other.