EMERGENCY services saved the life of a kayaker after they capsized on Sunday night (June 30).

RNLI Penlee’s B class Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat the Mollie and Ivor Dent and the Lizard All weather lifeboat Rose were both tasked by Falmouth Coastguard to the incident, which happened west of Mullion at 5.30pm.

The person was on a double kayak that capsized but after several attempts to get back on board in a fresh north westerly wind and choppy conditions got tired and held on to the kayak waiting for help while a colleague on another kayak paddled ashore and raised the alarm.

Penlee’s ILB launched immediately and arrived on scene in 25 minutes just before the Lizard Lifeboat arrived. The casualty, who by now had been in the sea for an hour was hypothermic and very weak, was hauled aboard the Penlee Inshore lifeboat. It was was decided to transfer the person onto the Lizard Lifeboat for further medical treatment following an assessment.

The casualty was successfully transferred across with the help of two Lizard lifeboat crew.

But after further assessment of the casualty’s condition it was decided to task the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter and they were winched from the Lizard lifeboat and taken to hospital. Penlee ILB recovered the other person on the double kayak who was also feeling the affects of the cold and took him and the kayak to Mullion Harbour. He was greeted by the Mullion Cliff Rescue Team and an ambulance for treatment.

A spokesperson for the RNLI said: “This was the first service for Penlee Crew Amy Smith as coxswain who was covering at the Lizard Lifeboat Station.

“Well done to everyone involved the efforts of Falmouth Coastguard who co-ordinated this rescue, two lifeboats and a helicopter, a cliff rescue team and an ambulance meaning a life was definitely saved.”