Sunday 30th August 2009

TWO canoeists had to be rescued by coastguards after drifting onto cliffs in strong seas off the Isle of Wight.

The men, both in their mid 30s, had been reported missing by their families as conditions worsened this afternoon.

The Sandown & Shanklin lifeboat, which was on an excercise at the time, carried out a search and found them washed onto Culver Cliffs.

Lifeboat operations manager Mark Birch said winds were picking up to force six or seven.

“The conditions were a bit much for one of them. They were very lucky.

“One had capsized and filled his Kayak with water which was very hard to manoeuvre and then drifted and was blown on to Culver Cliffs,” he said.

One of the casualties and kayak were recovered by the lifeboat.

The other climbed the rocks and made his way to Yaverland where he was met by the Bembridge cliff rescue team. Both men were said to be cold but well.

Source: Daily Echo