Inflatables warning after spate of sea rescues

Coastguard and RNLI crews were called multiple times along the east coast between East Yorkshire and Northumberland

A warning has been issued after three children were among those who had to be rescued from inflatable kayaks and paddleboards.

Coastguard and RNLI crews were called multiple times along the east coast between Bridlington, East Yorkshire and Seahouses, Northumberland, on Sunday after offshore winds made for difficult conditions.

The three children were rescued from an inflatable kayak, which was pushed out to sea at Sandsend, near Whitby, shortly after 13:00 BST.

In a separate incident, two kayakers became stranded on rocks at North Landing at Flamborough, near Bridlington.

Humber Coastguard urged beachgoers not to go out into the sea on inflatables during windy conditions.

It said it had to deal with "more than eight incidents along the East Coast, where inflatables have got their owners into trouble".

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said lifeguards "recovered the three children safely to shore".

Half an hour later, the Bridlington Coastguard Rescue Team and RNLI were called to the two kayakers at North Landing but the pair managed to make "their own way back to shore" with the help of another kayaker.

'Dangerous things'

Earlier in the day, rescue teams in Sunderland were called to help three paddleboarders who got into difficulty at Roker Piers at about 10:30, the agency said.

"The casualties were helped to shore safe and well by the port patrol boat and Roker lifeguards. The CRT assessed the trio and provided safety advice," a spokesperson said.

An hour later, another RNLI crew in Seahouses were called after two paddleboarders got into difficulty off Beadnell Beach.

The pair were taken safely back to shore at Newton Haven Beach, said the agency.

Posting on social media, Humber Coastguard said offshore windy conditions made "inflatables and paddle-boards dangerous things to be on".

They advised users to "make sure you are equipped and have a way of calling for help should you get into trouble".