Two women canoeists have been rescued from the Sound of Mull after capsizing and spending three hours in the water. A search involving Tobermory Lifeboat, Clyde Coastguard and a Navy rescue helicopter was sparked after the alarm was raised at about 1100 BST. The pair were picked up by a boat after being spotted by the MV Clansman ferry.
They were taken ashore and transferred to hospital suffering from suspected hypothermia. Details of their condition have not yet been released. Clyde Coastguard watch manager Calum Murray said the two women had been pitched into the water by the wake of a passing speedboat. He said: “Although the two canoeists were adequately dressed and were wearing buoyancy aids – which ultimately led to the fact that they were able to stay afloat in the water for such a sustained period – they did not have radios or other communications devices to allow them to make a distress call. “The weather on scene was force 4 to 5, gusting to 6, which is not ideal for open canoes.” The dive boat Peregrin, which had also been involved in the search, picked up the two women in Salen Bay brought them ashore. They were taken to Dunaros Community Hospital on Mull. Full story at www.tireeonline.com
