A MAN was taken to hospital with hypothermia after he was swept offshore in a supermarket-bought inflatable boat.

He had to be rescued by lifeboat volunteers after setting out from South Gare, near Redcar - at the mouth of the River Tees - before being carried by the wind and tide towards the Teesside Windfarm and then towards the beach in Coatham Bay.

A member of Redcar RNLI crew had to pull the man from surf when his kayak - bought at a discount supermarket for less than £40 - capsized close inshore, approximately half a mile from the Majuba car park.

The 35-year-old from Middlesbrough had bought the inflatable kayak intending to go fishing with it yesetrday afternoon (Saturday, July 4).

He was spotted struggling to make headway by a member of the public, who alerted the Coastguard when they became concerned for his safety.

Two RNLI lifeboats from Redcar launched at 5.15pm and began searching between Redcar and the South Gare.

When the man was rescued he was extremely cold and was unwell. He was taken to the Redcar lifeboat station, and given emergency care until ambulance crews arrived.

He was then taken to James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, by ambulance to be treated for  hypothermia.

Dave Cocks, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Redcar RNLI, said: "This could so nearly have ended as another tragedy at sea. While the craft may have been very inexpensive it could have cost the man his life.

"These boats are currently on sale in some of the low-cost supermarkets, and while at first glance they might seem to be a bargain, we would urge people to think very carefully before buying one.

"The North Sea is a dangerous place, even when the weather is as fine as we have seen in the past few days. The man was thrown into very cold water, very close to the shore. He was only wearing a tee-shirt and shorts and didn’t have a lifejacket on.

"At one point his body temperature was measured at less than 34 degrees. He was suffering from hypothermia and was becoming very weak. If he’d got into difficulties and he hadn’t been found he may not have been able to save himself.

"I’d like to thank the member of the public who raised the alarm and then for guiding the lifeboats towards the man. They played an important part in saving the man’s life."

The RNLI issues standard safety advice to anyone planning to go to sea in a craft:

  • Always wear a lifejacket
  • Have a proper means of raising the alarm, such as flares or a VHF radio
  • Tell someone when you plan to leave and return
  • Ensure craft is seaworthy and weather/tides are suitable.

For further details visit rnli.org/respectthewater.