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Kayaking group rescued from river | Kayaking group rescued from river |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Five teenagers and two adults were rescued after severe weather ruined a sea scouts kayaking trip in Devon. | |
The group from the West Devon Explorers were out on the River Tamar on Friday evening when they ran into difficulty. | The group from the West Devon Explorers were out on the River Tamar on Friday evening when they ran into difficulty. |
The kayaks were being towed by a safety boat on the water when the boat ran out of fuel. | |
Brixham Coastguard said two teenagers went into the water, before scrambling to shore and raising the alarm at a nearby house. All were rescued unhurt. | |
I couldn't think of a worse place to be Dave Colmer, Brixham Coastguard | |
The scouts had been on a camping trip at Cotehele Quay in Cornwall. | The scouts had been on a camping trip at Cotehele Quay in Cornwall. |
Brixham Coastguard coordinated the rescue, which involved an RAF helicopter from RMB Chivenor, lifeboat crews and a Ministry of Defence launch. | Brixham Coastguard coordinated the rescue, which involved an RAF helicopter from RMB Chivenor, lifeboat crews and a Ministry of Defence launch. |
Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman Dave Colmer said it was a hard lesson for the group to learn. | Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman Dave Colmer said it was a hard lesson for the group to learn. |
"Things would have been easier if they'd contacted us to tell us they were out on the water," he told BBC News. | "Things would have been easier if they'd contacted us to tell us they were out on the water," he told BBC News. |
Coastguards said conditions were bad with heavy rain and gale force winds | |
Mr Colmer said conditions were "not ideal" with heavy rain and winds gusting up to severe gale force nine (50mph/40 knots). | Mr Colmer said conditions were "not ideal" with heavy rain and winds gusting up to severe gale force nine (50mph/40 knots). |
"It was a terrible night - I couldn't think of a worse place to be." | "It was a terrible night - I couldn't think of a worse place to be." |
The Scout Association said it was aware of the incident and an investigation would be carried out into the surrounding issues. | |
Spokesman Andrew Thorp told BBC News the members taking part were aged between 14 and 18. | |
'Unspecified difficulties' | |
He said it was a planned activity which had begun at 1830 BST. | |
In a statement, Mr Thorp said: "The safety boat had unspecified engine difficulties and required support from the coastguard and associated rescue services. | |
"The Adult Leader and 5 Explorer Scouts continued on their way to their planned destination and arrived safely." | |
He said no-one was injured and denied any of the young people had entered the water at any time. |
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