A TEENAGE kayaker has been rescued after his kayak capsized and he spent two hours clinging to the upturned hull.
The 17-year-old kayaker raised the alarm by using his mobile phone to contact a family member when he capsized, but they were unable to get back in touch with him.
Kyle RNLI lifeboat went to the scene in Broadford Bay, off the isle of Skye, arriving at 5.40pm on Wednesday, and Portree lifeboat arrived about 40 minutes later.
READ MORE: Police respond to claim that Labour Glasgow office was 'stormed'
They searched the area, with help from local fishing vessels, and at 6.40pm a coastguard helicopter arrived at the scene.
The helicopter located the teenager still clinging to his upturned kayak, and Kyle lifeboat retrieved him from the water.
Norman Finlayson, helm for Kyle’s RNLI Lifeboat, said: “The casualty was an experienced kayaker who was well equipped to be out on the water.
“Conditions were good when he went out, however, unfortunately, they began to deteriorate quite quickly.
“He did exactly the correct thing in taking and using his mobile phone to raise the alarm, and then staying with his kayak until he was located.
“He was wearing all the correct clothing to be out on the water, which made all the difference when spending that amount of time in the water.”
After assessing the teenager, the lifeboat crew began warming him up as he had been in the water for more than two hours.
They took him to the pier in Broadford where they handed him over to the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here