Dart RNLI volunteers save life of kayaker
A 27 year old experienced kayaker was rescued from the River Dart as dusk fell on Sunday (8 May).
The 27 year old experienced kayaker from Somerset had been kayaking alone on the Dart for most of the day.
As he was returning to Dittisham in the dusk he capsized in the gusty conditions and was unable to reboard the boat. He swam it the 500m to the nearest shore but was unable to climb through the trees to the field above.
After 30 minutes waiting for another boat to pass and up to his waist in the water fending his boat off the rocks, he called the Coastguard on his mobile phone. They ordered an immediate launch of the RNLI Dart inshore lifeboat.
The D class crew did not see him on their upriver search due to the overhanging branches but spotted the strobe light on his boat on their return pass. He was lifted into the lifeboat and the kayak was secured across the sponsons.
Haydn Glanvill, the paramedic crewman on board, established that he was hypothermic and he was wrapped in a thermal blanket and reflective sheet for the return to the lifeboat station. At the warmed station he was given a change of dry clothing and hot drinks. By the time the paramedic ambulance arrived to give him a formal check up his temperature had returned to normal.
He was given overnight accommodation at the Ship in Dock Inn, owned by a member of the crew and returned to his car the next day.
Rob Clements, Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘This man's life was saved by his having the right safety equipment and clothing and by the quick professional response of the RNLI volunteers.’
Lifeboat crew; Buster Hart, helmsman. Haydn Glanvill and Jamie Mathys, crew.
Shore crew; Stuart Millard, tractor driver.
RNLI media contacts
For more information contact John Fenton, Dart Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07970921504 or [email protected] or Emma Haines, RNLI Public Relations Manager, on 07786 668847 or [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.