Redcar lifeboat rescues man from child's dinghy

The Leicester Challenge 2 was launched from the Redcar station

A man in a toy inflatable who had to be rescued after he was swept out to sea off Teesside was "asking for problems", the RNLI has said.

The 38-year-old, who was wearing only a pair of swimming shorts, was attempting to row from Redcar to Saltburn in the 4ft-long child's dinghy on Sunday.

He got into difficulties in the wind, ending up about half a mile out to sea.

The Redcar lifeboat was launched and brought him to shore, where he was treated for mild hypothermia.

Bob O'Neill, Deputy Launching Authority at Redcar RNLI, said: "To attempt to row from Redcar to Saltburn properly equipped in a seaworthy craft is ambitious.

"To try it in a toy inflatable and wearing only swimming trunks was asking for problems, and that's exactly what happened."