A kayaker was airlifted to hospital yesterday afternoon after capsizing offshore between Freshwater East and Manorbier and swallowing a large amount of sea water.

At 3.46pm Milford Haven Coastguard received a 999 call from a kayaker reporting that another kayaker had capsized and was missing in the water. The man said he was unable to see his friend who had disappeared from sight after capsizing in a fresh offshore breeze.

 Both Tenby and Govans coastguard rescue teams were sent to search the coast.  Tenby RNLI all weather and inshore lifeboats were requested and the coastguard rescue helicopter based at St Athans also joined the search. 

Once on scene, the lifeboats were directed towards the casualty by a local fishing boat that had spotted him swimming towards the rocks and had stood-by whilst he made his way ashore.

The inshore lifeboat went into the rocks and took the casualty aboard. He was then transferred to the all-weather lifeboat to be checked over whilst awaiting the arrival of the rescue helicopter.

Rescue helicopter, 187 from St Athan, was soon overhead and winched the casualty up. He was landed him on Freshwater East beach where paramedics were waiting to check him over.

 The casualty was feeling cold and unwell due to ingesting sea water and it was decided that he should be airlifted to Withybush Hospital, accompanied by one of the paramedics.

Ian Thomas at Milford Haven Coastguard Operations Centre said:

"The kayakers in difficulty today were wearing life jackets and had a mobile phone to raise the alarm, which enabled the Coastguard to get rescue units on scene quickly.  Our message is to always to carry the right gear and make sure you have a way to call for help if the unexpected happens."