Dramatic jet ski rescue in Morecambe Bay (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Dramatic jet ski rescue in Morecambe Bay

8:10am Thursday 16th September 2010 in Silverdale news By Emma Lidiard, Reporter

THIS is the moment a coastguard on a jet ski sped to the rescue of two men thrown into the ice-cold waters of Morecambe Bay after their speedboat capsized.

The pair were just minutes from death but the fast reactions of the Arnside Coastguard and bystanders helped to save the men, who were at risk of being swept out to sea.

Their friend managed to swim to shore but the pair were left helpless, immobilised by the freezing water.

The coastguard was alerted to the three men bobbing about in the choppy waters by people on the shoreline.

The men were clinging to the upturned hull of a white speedboat around 500 metres off the shore at Silverdale.

From receiving the first call, Arnside Coastguard took just eight minutes to rescue the stricken pair, who had been in the water for 25 minutes.

A member of the rescue mission, Arnside Coastguard Nigel Capstick said: “They had an extremely lucky escape, ten minutes longer and they would have been swept out to sea.

“Even the strongest of swimmers wouldn’t have been able to swim back against a turning tide – I’m almost certain they would have died.

“If they weren’t wearing lifejackets then it would have been a vey, very serious situation.”

Helen Scott, watch officer at The Maritime & Coastguard Agency at Liverpool, said: “They were lucky that there were vigilant members of the public close by, who immediately dialled 999 and asked for the coastguard when they saw the men in danger.

“All three men were suffering from exhaustion and the coastguard rescue team were especially worried about the person who had swum ashore.

“He was suffering from pins and needles in both his arms and legs and was in a state of shock.”

The men were taken by ambulance to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, where they made full recoveries.

“It is incredibly dangerous to go out in heavy water,” said Mr Capstick. “I would very much like to express what a fantastic water-borne asset the rescue jet ski is.

“It allows us to reach casualties very quickly at most states of the tide. The crew on Saturday did a great job in heavy seas and averted a serious life threatening situation.

“People should be extremely cautious when considering going out in the water around that area as it is very unpredictable and extremely dangerous.

“If you are not experienced then its better not to go out. It’s a real danger area.”

The men, who were all from Manchester, were holidaying in the area and staying at Gibraltar Farm, Silverdale, where the father of the man who swam to shore, Mike Graham, works as a warden.

“The emergency services did an incredible job, they were very, very quick,” said Mr Graham, who shares the same name as his son.

So far this year the coastguard has had to respond to 40 incidents in the Silverdale area where people have required emergency rescues.