A Cowes man who was tipped into the Solent from his kayak this evening (Thursday) was eventually rescued by the local RNLI lifeboat after managing to radio for help while still in the water.
Rob Pragnell, a 45-year-old painter and decorator, said later that he had gone out fishing with his 13ft 6″ yellow kayak, wearing a floatation suit.
He said:
“When I was about 600 yards off Princes Green my kayak was beam on to the sea and a wave knocked me into the water.
“I managed to cling on to the craft, but try as I might I could not climb back on board without it rolling me out again. I must have attempted this four or five times. And it was no good me trying to swim ashore in that current, either.
“After around 20 minutes I was getting really cold so I reached into the kayak and radioed Solent Coastguards. I was so relieved when Cowes lifeboat arrived.”
He and his kayak were brought back to Cowes lifeboat station where his wife, who had been alerted by a lifeboat member, was waiting with dry clothes. The lifeboat had launched at 17:46 and returned at 18:00.
