Loch Ness RNLI launches to rescue kayakers in water

Four volunteer crew members from the Loch Ness RNLI Lifeboat Station launched the RNLI Loch Ness Sheila & Dennis Tongue IV lifeboat at 15:12 and made their way towards Fort Augustus to locate four kayakers in the water.

Neil Stebbings, volunteer Helm at Loch Ness RNLI Lifeboat Station, said: ‘Due to changeable conditions around two nautical miles north of Fort Augustus, two kayaks had capsized resulting in four people in the water. Fortunately, a local commercial tour vessel operated by Cruise Loch Ness had reached the kayakers and rescued all four casualties by the time the lifeboat arrived. Three members of the crew boarded the Spirit of Loch Ness vessel to support the HM Coastguard paramedic who had been winched on to the vessel and the casualties who were very wet and cold.

‘The HM Coastguard helicopter identified another eight kayakers stranded on the south shore of Loch Ness who had also ended up in the water whilst making their way to shore. The lifeboat diverted to locate and rescue the additional casualties and return all eight people to Fort Augustus where further paramedic crews were waiting. The lifeboat then returned to gather debris and personal belongings from the loch whilst also securing the kayaks to trees on the shoreline.

‘This was a challenging four-hour rescue with multiple casualties in different locations but we’re grateful to Cruise Loch Ness and HM Coastguard for their support in ensuring there was a positive outcome for all involved. We wish all casualties a speedy recovery.’

Ends

Notes to editors

· Loch Ness lifeboat station was established in 2008

· Situated on the northern shore of the iconic Loch Ness, lifeboat station volunteers operate in a unique, inland environment

· To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/loch-ness-lifeboat-station

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For further information, please contact:

Lynsey Macready, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Scotland, [email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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