Rescued paddleboarder found clinging to mooring post

19 minutes ago

News image — The RNLI described the conditions as wet and squally

RNLI/Poole View from a lifeboat crew's camera. Their colleague is pointing towards the shore on a grey, rainy day. — The RNLI described the conditions as wet and squally

A paddleboarder was found clinging to a mooring post in Poole Harbour after getting into difficulty.

Lifeboat crews were alerted to two people - one in the water and the other drifting - at about 14:25 BST on Saturday.

One of the pair made it to shore while the other was found "very cold" in the water, holding on to the wooden post, near Evening Hill.

The casualty rescued from the water was taken to Salterns Marina "for gentle rewarming" before being left in the care of the ambulance service, said the RNLI.

RNLI/Poole View from a lifeboat crew's camera showing colleagues in yellow overalls on board the lifeboat with a person in the centre who is blurred out. — The paddleboarder was taken to Salterns Marina and checked by paramedics

They were located by a fisheries patrol vessel, using specialist equipment.

The RNLI described conditions in the Dorset harbour on Saturday afternoon as "wet and squally".

Poole helm Dave Riley said: "The weather today turned very quickly, with stronger winds and rain coming through, which caught the paddleboarders out.

"Thankfully, the person we assisted was wearing a buoyancy aid and had a means of calling for help, so they were able to dial 999 and ask for the coastguard."