Two kayakers rescued from the sea near Bexhill

Following numerous reports from members of the public via 999 calls to HM Coastguard, Eastbourne RNLI’s inshore lifeboat (ILB) was requested to launch on Sunday, August 30, to assist two kayakers in severe difficulties off Cooden Beach.

One of the kayakers was seen to fall from his craft whilst the other was unable to do more than stand by, the Eastbourne RNLI said.

The volunteer lifeboat crew left their station at Fisherman’s Green but even at full speed were more than 10 minutes away from the casualties.

Fortunately the Bexhill Sailing Club rescue boat was afloat and was made aware of the situation by local coastguards and they too made their way to the scene, arriving shortly before the lifeboat, the RNLI said.

Both casualties were taken ashore along with one of the kayaks; the other had already been washed out to sea in the offshore wind and was no longer in sight.

With both casualties assessed as being well they were left in the care of Bexhill coastguards, the RNLI said.

The lifeboat and its crew then went in search of the missing kayak which was eventually found drifting two miles offshore.

It was collected and returned to its owner.