River Bann: Kayakers rescued after clinging to trees in 'strong tide'

Police said the two men were caught out by an unexpectedly strong tide on the River Bann

A police officer has spoken about how he and a colleague rescued two experienced kayakers found clinging on to tree branches in the River Bann.

Passing dog walkers raised the alarm at about 18:20 GMT on Tuesday, before officers carried out the rescue.

Supt Mark Roberts said the men were lucky to be alive after being caught out by an "unexpectedly strong tide".

Both kayakers have been taken to Causeway hospital in Coleraine for treatment.

"The change in the current was so strong, one of the kayaks was swept away, leaving a gentleman clinging to a tree and another one just standing in the water off the bank," Supt Roberts told BBC News NI.

"The area was in complete darkness and where the two gentlemen were was at the bottom of a steep and wooded bank.

"One gentleman was clinging to a tree that had fallen into the water. It was about 10 or 15 feet out in fast-flowing water and we could only see his head."

He said it soon became apparent that the man could not hold on much longer.

"He indicated he was becoming exhausted and he was, possibly, going to have to let go," said Supt Roberts.

Earlier police cited the rescue as "a fantastic example of collaborative working with our colleagues from Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and the indispensable volunteers of Community Rescue Service".