Cowes lifeboat responds to capsized kayaker emergency
Cowes RNLI lifeboat today raced to the aid of a man whose condition caused serious concern after his kayak capsized in a choppy Solent today.
The incident occurred off the entrance to Beaulieu River. Before the lifeboat arrived on the scene, however, the man had been pulled from the water by the crew of a passing yacht. Because of his condition the Lee on Solent-based Coastguard helicopter was then quickly dispatched to the scene.
While the lifeboat stood by, the man was lifted into the helicopter and flown to Southampton General Hospital.
Lifeboat station Deputy Launching Authority, Sandy Steen, said he understood the man was one of four kayakers. “When taken aboard the yacht he was suffering from hyperthermia and very seasick,” he said.
The lifeboat, which launched at 10.35 am, returned to station at 11.20 amKey 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.
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