KAYAKER RESCUED OFF RHOSCOLYN

Two kayakers, one of whom was rescued from the sea off Rhoscolyn this afternoon, have been praised for being well equipped and prepared for emergency situations.

Holyhead Coastguard received a 999 call from a member of the public at 12.20 today reporting that a kayaker was in difficulty in the water, off Rhoscolyn. Shortly afterwards, the Coastguard received a mayday broadcast from the kayaker, requesting assistance.

The Trearddur Bay RNLI Lifeboat was launched, the rescue helicopter from RAF Valley was scrambled and the Holyhead Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to the scene. Once the lifeboat arrived on scene, it quickly located one kayaker and rescued him from the water. He was then airlifted to hospital, suffering with the effects of hypothermia. The other kayaker was found shortly afterwards. He had managed to swim to shore and was safe and well.

Mark Craddock, Holyhead Coastguard Watch Manager says:

“The kayakers were very well prepared and followed all of the correct procedures to ensure that rescuers would be able to locate them quickly should they run into difficulties. Earlier this morning, before the incident, they had been in contact with us and had given us a traffic report so that we knew how many kayakers were out on the water and where they intended going. They were equipped with a hand held VHF radio which meant that they were able to make a mayday broadcast from the water and to alert the Coastguard about their rapidly deteriorating situation. Time was of the essence particularly as the water is probably only about eight or nine degrees at this time of the year.”

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