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Rescued kayakers were not wearing lifejackets

LifeboatImage source, RNLI/Andrew MacDonald
Image caption,

Kyle of Lochalsh RNLI lifeboat was launched during Tuesday's rescue

  • Published

Two people who were not wearing lifejackets got into difficulty after their kayaks capsized in a Highland sea loch.

A group of kayakers who happened to be on a nearby shore of Loch Carron went to their aid.

Coastguard personnel and the Kyle of Lochalsh RNLI lifeboat also assisted in the rescue effort after the alarm was raised at about 20:40 on Tuesday.

One of the capsized kayakers, an Italian man in his 60s, was taken to Skye's Broadford Hospital for treatment.

The lifeboat crew retrieved one of the kayaks, which was drifting.

Helm Daniel Elliot said: "Luckily some people on shore heard the kayakers shouting for help, and called the emergency services before going out in their own kayaks to assist.

"It highlights the importance of being prepared, and always wearing a buoyancy aid or lifejacket when going out on the water."

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