Porthcawl kayaker summons lifeboat by phone
- Published
A lone kayaker off the coast of south Wales summoned a lifeboat by mobile telephone as he was drifting out to sea after capsizing, say rescue services.
The man made a 999 call on Thursday from the water off Newton Point, Porthcawl, Bridgend county.
The Porthcawl RNLI inshore lifeboat, an RAF Rescue helicopter and the town's coastguard rescue team were alerted.
The kayaker was rescued by the lifeboat and taken for medical attention.
Steve Jones of Swansea Coastguard paid tribute to the kayaker for carrying his mobile telephone in a waterproof pack secured to his body.
"This simple but effective piece of forward planning meant that when he was separated from his kayak and being carried out to sea his mobile was dry and working so he could summon the help he needed," said Mr Jones.