RNLI lifeguards in South Devon rescue kayakers and their dog

Hope Cove independent lifeboat was tasked at around 6pm to reports of two kayakers and a dog who’d come out of their kayak and were stuck after scrambling onto rocks near Challaborough.

Lifeguards at Bantham and Sedgewell Cove were just packing up the beach at 6pm but upon hearing the incident unfold on the radio, sprung into action to assist. Lifeguards Clement Sarrazin, Alex Tucker, Ali Williams and Luke Lane-Prokopiou launched both inshore rescue boats from both beaches and made their way to the reported location, just west of Challabourgh point.

On arrival, due to a slight swell and location of the casualties in and amongst rocks, RNLI lifeguards Alex Tucker and Clement Sarrazin swam into the rocky area with rescue tubes to reach the casualties.

The assessed them for any injuries and made the decision to swim both casualties and the dog back to the boats. The casualties were then taken back to the shore at Challabourgh and their kayak was also recovered. The independent lifeboat stood off during the rescue to assist if needed.

RNLI lifeguard supervisor Kate Doison said: ‘Both casualties had buoyancy aids and they had a mobile phone with them which meant they were able to call the coastguard when they realised they needed some help in getting back to shore.’

Earlier in the week on Tuesday (September 4), RNLI lifeguards at Sedgewell Cove gave emergency casualty care to a man who’d fallen on rocks.

RNLI lifeguards were on patrol at around 12.30pm when a 58 year old man slipped on rocks along the shoreline near the lifeguard unit. He fell hard on his chest and after walking a few meters, he collapsed. RNLI lifeguard Howie Atton was on scene almost immediately and radioed for back up from the team, requesting for a full trauma bag.

Lifeguard supervisor Kate Doison arrived minutes later and assisted Howie in delivering casualty care to the casualty who was deteriorating, whilst lifeguards Summer Hurrell and Luke Lane-Prokoipiou liaised with the Coastguard to create a helicopter landing zone on the beach. Due to the nature of the injuries sustained and the condition of the patient the air ambulance was dispatched and arrived within 10 minutes.

After extensive treatment from air and land ambulance paramedics, the casualty was taken to hospital via land ambulance for further care.

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