Portland helicopter called to help capsized canoeist (From Dorset Echo)

Portland helicopter called to help capsized canoeist

10:33am Friday 23rd November 2012 in News

PORTLAND Coastguard Helicopter was called out to help a canoeist who had capsized in 73 mph winds.
The coastguard received a 999 call on Thursday afternoon reporting that a canoe had been dragged out to sea in winds near to storm force off the south Devon coast.
Local teams were sent to the scene along with the rescue helicopter but the canoeist managed to get himself to the shore.
A coastguard spokesman said: “We strongly advise not to go out in these stormy conditions, particularly in small craft such as canoes or kayaks.
“Sending units to rescue people in these types of avoidable incidents will put the rescue teams at risk. “Even though he managed to self recover, we were concerned about the possibility of secondary drowning which can occur with as little as a tablespoon of fluid in the lungs.”