Unprepared kayakers rescued after capsizing off Amble Harbour
Two kayakers saved near Amble Harbour.
Two men have been pulled from the water and airlifted to hospital after capsizing approximately a mile east of Amble Harbour.
Humber Coastguard received a 999 call from a member of the public just after 12.30pm this lunchtime (7 February 2014) who had spotted 2 kayakers in trouble.
The Amble Coastguard Rescue Team, the Amble RNLI inshore and offshore lifeboats and the search and rescue helicopter from RAF Boulmer were sent to the scene. A fishing boat in the area at the time went to help the kayakers until the lifeboats arrived. They were then pulled to safety on to the lifeboat, and from there were winched on board the helicopter and taken to the Ashington and Wansbeck Hospital.
Graham Dawson, Watch Manager at Humber Coastguard, said:
It’s believed these 2 men were in the water for at least 15 minutes.
They were taken to hospital showing signs of hypothermia.
One of them was wearing a track suit and t-shirt and the other had an orange survival suit on but it was open to the waist. Neither were wearing lifejackets.
We always recommend that kayakers check weather and tidal conditions before setting out, and make sure you can handle them. Wear a buoyancy aid and appropriate clothing. It’s a good idea to carry with you a VHF marine band radio, fitted with DSC if possible, so you can contact the coastguard on channel 16 if you get into difficulty.
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