A RESCUE operation got under way today to airlift two canoeists to hospital after they got into difficulties off Felixstowe Ferry.
A RESCUE operation got under way today to airlift two canoeists to hospital after they got into difficulties off Felixstowe Ferry.
A member of the public called Thames Coastguard shortly after 12.23pm after spotting a group of five canoeists about half-a-mile off the foreshore who appeared not to be moving.
The inshore and all-weather lifeboats from Harwich and Felixstowe Coastguard were scrambled to go to their aid.
A spokesman for Thames Coastguard said: “We got a call from a member of the public on the foreshore to Felixstowe Ferry. They were concerned for five canoeists. Two are believed to be suffering from hypothermia.”
The RAF search and rescue helicopter crew from Wattisham were alerted by the coastguards just before 1pm and were sent to the scene to airlift the pair to Ipswich Hospital.
The remaining three canoeists were not believed to be in need of hospital treatment.
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