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Adults rescued by Hartlepool RNLI after their kayak capsized

Lifeboats News Release

Hartlepool RNLI volunteers were paged at 6.08pm on Monday 8 April by Humber Coastguard to assist two male adults from the sea at Middleton, Hartlepool after their fishing kayak capsized and they were unable to get back in it.

RNLI/Tom Collins

Hartlepool RNLI inshore lifeboat Solihull and volunteer crewmembers heading out to sea to assist the two casualties.
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The inshore lifeboat (ILB) Solihull and four volunteer crewmembers launched at 6.22pm and were alongside the casualties within minutes.

An RNLI crewmember from the ILB entered the water to assist 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. They were quite distressed and having been in the sea for around 20 minutes, the two males were suffering with the cold conditions and had swallowed sea water 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 RNLI 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.'

RNLI Media Contacts

Hartlepool RNLI volunteer press officer Tom Collins email: [email protected]

Clare Hopps (RNLI Regional Communications Manager, North East and East): [email protected] Tel:07824 518641




RNLI/Tom Collins

Hartlepool RNLI volunteers pictured with the kayak that had earlier capsized.
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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

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About the author

Tom Collins
Lifeboat Press Officer, Hartlepool Lifeboat Station

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