'Wear yellow to be seen', lifeboat crew suggest

The couple were rescued after being cut off by the rising tide on Saturday

A lifeboat crew has warned people to be better prepared when visiting the seaside after saving two groups of people over the weekend.

Hornsea Inshore Rescue went to the aid of two kayakers in difficulty about half a mile off Skipsea Sands on Saturday.

Later the same day the crew was called to two people in the sea who were cut off by a rising tide between Hornsea and Mappleton.

Station manager Sue Hickson-Marsay MBE suggested those venturing out to sea wear something fluorescent, preferably yellow, to make it easy for them to be seen.

Leading coxswain Karl Shannon said the area had fast incoming tides made more dangerous by coastal erosion.

He said: "People should always check the times of the high tide before walking this stretch of beach but be aware that due to the erosion, the tide comes in very quickly and reaches the bottom of the cliffs sometimes three hours before high tide.

"We are tending to rescue more and more people cut off by the tide in this area and the danger is very real indeed."

The independent rescue charity said the two people were "none the worse for their ordeal apart from being very wet".

Both kayakers had spent some time in the water after being capsized by a large wave.

'Difficult to spot'

The were brought to shore where they were treated for hypothermia by waiting paramedics before being discharged.

Ms Hickson-Marsay said it was "crucial the casualties were picked out of the water without delay before they succumbed to the cold water".

"The kayaks would have been difficult to spot as they were dark coloured and I would strongly advise anyone going out to see to wear something fluorescent, preferably yellow," she said.

"Both casualties were wearing buoyancy aids which again are essential when venturing out onto the water."

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