Handheld Radio Mayday saves Kayker in Solent
This morning
UK Coastguard received a spoken word mayday from a kayaker who had fallen into
the water in the Solent.
The
Coastguard Rescue Helicopter, Hillhead Coastguard Rescue Team, and the Hamble
and Calshot RNLI searched the area to locate the kayaker. Meanwhile a local
warship in the area had found him and recovered him on board. He has now been
transferred to hospital by the helicopter.
Matt West, UK
Coastguard Controller said,
'The hand
held radio this kayaker used to call mayday via channel 16, saved his life. He is
suffering from hypothermia but he is now at Southampton General receiving the
treatment he needs. I would like to applaud him for having the correct safety
equipment with him, and having the knowhow of how to use it and contact us.
This is exactly why we recommend ensuring you have the correct safety
equipment. We all wish him a speedy recovery.