Press Notice No: 319-09
Monday, September 21, 2009
Posted 18:08 GMT

Arnside Coastguard Rescue Team performed a dramatic rescue yesterday when they spotted a canoeist being swept upriver whilst they were on a training exercise.

Arnside Coastguard Rescue Team train using the Rescue 'Jet ski'

The team was undertaking training on their new rescue jetski1 in anticipation of the tidal bore that occurs in the area, creating an extremely high standing wave. The area is popular with canoeists on days when a bore is expected because of the tidal conditions that the bore creates.

As the bore occurred the team witnessed a canoeist capsize and be subsequently pulled out of his canoe and swept under the viaduct where he was swamped by fast flowing water. Team members quickly raced over to the casualty on the rescue jetski and pulled him from the water. The canoeist was suffering from shock and water ingestion but did not require medical attention.

Nigel Capstick, Arnside Coastguard Rescue Officer said:

The Arnside bore attracts large numbers of canoeists keen to experience the strong tides that can sometimes be up to ten metres high. The water then flows through the viaduct, creating areas of white water and whirlpools. We would advise only very experienced canoeists go out on the water on days when a bore is expected. Fortunately in this case the canoe was very experienced, and was wearing the appropriate safety equipment for the activity.

The conditions on scene yesterday were so perilous that a boat would not have been able to be sent to the canoeists rescue. We are very fortunate at Arnside to have the new rescue jetski and to have received the specialist K38 training that goes with it.


Notes to editors

1 Jet ski is a registered trademark of the Kawasaki Motor Corp.



Posted By: Rosie Tapping

For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401