Newcastle RNLI rescue man clinging to kayak

However when the inshore lifeboat arrived on scene the crew discovered that the callout was to three kayakers in trouble, with one man found clinging to his kayak in the freezing water and unable to get to safety.

Newcastle RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crew were quickly on scene once the call for help was received. They observed one kayak being towed by another but only one person was visible. On further investigation it was established there was one person in the water further along the shoreline.

The inshore lifeboat crew proceeded further south and located a male clinging to the front of his kayak unable to get to safety. The person was recovered from the freezing water onto the lifeboat and the crew carried out the RNLI’s ‘casualty care’ and returned to Newcastle Lifeboat Station to await the arrival of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.

The inshore lifeboat crew then went back to the scene to recover a further kayaker and his kayak while Newcastle Coastguard recovered a third casualty from the shore line. The casualties were transferred into the care of Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.

Alan Jones Newcastle RNLI lifeboat Helm said ‘Another five minutes and we could have been dealing with a completely different outcome. The water is absolutely freezing at this time of year.’

Ends

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For more information please telephone Nathan Leneghan, Newcastle RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07851264466, email Nathan_Leneghan @rnli.org.uk or contact Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Ireland on 00353876483547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager Ireland on 00 353 87 1254 124 or [email protected]

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