Hartlepool RNLI rescue two men after kayak capsizes

Hartlepool RNLI volunteers were scrambled to help two men who were in the water and were unable to get back into their kayak at Middleston, Hartepool, shortly after 6pm.

Alerted by Humber Coastguard, the inshore lifeboat Solihull and four volunteer crewmembers launched at 6.22pm and were alongside the casualties within minutes.Hartlepool RNLI inshore lifeboat 'Solihull' and volunteer crewmembers heading out to sea help two casualties (Image: RNLI/TOM COLLINS)

An RNLI crewmember from the ILB entered the water to help the casualties who were taken aboard the inshore lifeboat and brought back to the Ferry Road lifeboat station, where casualty care was provided until an ambulance arrived.

Inshore lifeboat helm Ken Hay said: "When we arrived at the scene the casualties were clinging to their kayak and were quite distressed.

"Having been in the sea for around 20 minutes the two males were suffering with the cold conditions and had swallowed sea water.

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"But within a few minutes we were back at the lifeboat station with them where they began to recover and a short time later we handed them over to the ambulance crew when they arrived who took them to hospital to be checked over."

Hartlepool Lifeboat Operations Manager Chris Hornsey said: "Once again a quick response from the volunteer crewmembers brought the incident to a safe conclusion.

"It's the public donations that help us provide the service that helps save lives at sea such as tonight's incident."