| UK. Holyhead Coastguard requests helicopter & RNLI lifeboats to search for missing Kayakers |
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| Saturday, 04 November 2006 | |
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Coastguard news: Holyhead Coastguard were called this morning at just after 11.15 with a report of a person dressed suitably with a lifejacket and light coloured paddles in the water from a kayak between the north stack and south stack lighthouses in the main tidal race off the coast of North Wales. An orange smoke flare had alerted one group of kayaks to the unfolding incident within another group, and a mayday call was made to the Coastguard. The occupants of the North West Kayak Group had been exploring caves locally. The Holyhead and Trearddur RNLI all weather lifeboat was immediately requested to launch and the mayday signal was relayed into the area to alert any other passing vessels to the incident to provide immediate assistance. A rescue helicopter was scrambled from RAF Valley, and by 12.15 a person had been recovered from the water; however a further three people were then believed to have entered the water from the kayak activities. Shortly afterwards a further person was recovered from the water by lifeboat from the second of the two kayak groups. He was transferred into the helicopter for onward transmission to the landing site at Holyhead. By this time confirmation was sought from the team leader on exactly how many people had gone missing, and other passing vessels had also joined the search for the remaining missing person. The first group of 19 kayaks were brought together for a check on numbers by Holyhead lifeboat and the remaining number were being brought together by the second lifeboat before coming ashore. An ambulance was also requested to attend the scene and the first individual who was hypothermic was dropped off from the helicopter to the care of the paramedics. The Police also attended the Holyhead Coastguard station to provide a watching brief on the situation. After all people were finally accounted for, the search was stood down. Andy Carroll, Holyhead Coastguard Watch Manager said: "This was a particularly awkward situation for us as the group had split into three and accounting for each person in each sub group required a lot of time and effort given they were in such widespread and remote locations. One of the individuals from the group brought ashore came into the Operations Room to help us account for everyone who had gone to sea in the kayaks. Fortunately everyone has now been accounted for and the search has been stood down." |
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| Last Updated ( Saturday, 04 November 2006 ) |
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