Kayaker rescued on Loch Leven

A lone kayaker on Loch Leven had a very narrow escape yesterday and it looks as though he was very lucky that loftyd who posts on World Sea forums was out and about at the time and  called in the rescue services.

It's not clear how the capsize took place or whether the guy was fishing at the time but he spent about half an hour in the water before the helicopter and ribs arrived. The RNLI Oban lifeboat attended as did an RAF helicopter from Lossiemouth and the guy was winched aboard the chopper before being taken to the Belford Hospital in Fort william for treatment.

There is a bit more information here on the STV site but the person who'd capsized lived to paddle another day.

Kayaking in Scotland is a very serious business folks. So don't just go out and buy a boat then set out on the biggest loch you can find. Wear appropriate clothing, learn how to roll if it's not a sit on top you're using or learn how to self rescue. There are clubs and outdoor centres that teach canoeing all over the uk so if you don't know where to get the help and instruction you might need then get in touch with the British Canoe Union and they will point you in the right direction.

Don't put yourself and others at risk or you might not have quite as lucky an escape as the guy on Leven had.