Kyle of Lochalsh RNLI called to Kayaker recovered from the water in Kylerhea
Kyle of Lochalsh RNLI's volunteer crew were paged at 1:10pm Monday 12 June, to a Kayaker who was hypothermic and exhausted after being in the water for a prolonged length of time
Kyle lifeboat Spirit of Fred. Olsen launched at 1:17pm and made best speed towards the casualty who was on the Kylerhea shoreline, arriving on scene at 1:27pm. The first paramedics had just arrived, and had begun to treat the male casualty who was hypothermic and exhausted after struggling in the water for a significant length of time after his kayak overturned.
It was decided due to the extremely remote location and the casualties condition, the best method of extraction was via the Coastguard helicopter. The helicopter arrived on scene at 2:05pm and landed on the shore to enable two medics to examine the casualty. After discussions with the lifeboat crew, local Coastguard teams and paramedics, it was decided that they would winch the casualty on-board the helicopter instead of trying to carry him up the extremely slippery shoreline.
The casualty was winched on-board the helicopter at 2:20pm and flown to hospital. The lifeboat was then stood down and returned to Kyle and was refuelled and made ready for service by 3:15pm.
Notes to editors:
- Please credit the picture to Kyle RNLI
- There is video footage of the incident and extraction available
- This is the 2nd callout in 24 hours for the volunteers, and the 9th so far this year
RNLI media contacts:
Andrew MacDonald, Kyle of Lochalsh RNLI Volunteer Press Officer on 07748 707606 or [email protected]
Or Richard Smith, Public Relations Manager Scotland on 01738 642956, 07786 668903 or [email protected]
Or Henry Weaver, RNLI Press Officer for Scotland, 01738 642946, 07771 943026, [email protected]
Or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.
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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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