Kayakers saved in whirlpool drama

AN Oldham man was one of two kayakers rescued after being swept into a notorious whirlpool off the coast of Scotland.

Lifeboat crews were scrambled on Saturday after the middle-aged men, from Failsworth and Sale, were dragged into the waters of Corryvrechan, a collection of whirlpools south of the island of Scarba off Argyll.

One of the men called emergency services after the other’s kayak overturned as they were pushed miles off course by strong tides.

They managed to scramble ashore before a Royal Navy search and rescue Sea King helicopter and crews from Oban Lifeboat Station located them.

The men were unhurt and said to be in good spirits.

Corryvrechan is the third largest whirlpool in the world with fierce underwater currents making it one of the most dangerous places to navigate in the British Isles.

The lifeboat crew had been conducting a family open day when their pagers alerted them to the drama. Families with children had to quickly get off the lifeboat so that it could be launched.

The men had set off from Loch Melfort to a small group of three islands called the Garvellachs and had been returning when tidal streams pushed them south.

A spokesman for the RNLI said: “On Saturday afternoon, Oban lifeboat was hosting its annual open day with the lifeboat open to the public.

“Just after lunch it was requested to launch to assist two kayakers who had been struggling in the turbulent waters of the Corryvrechan.

“Oban lifeboat proceeded to the incident and took the kayakers on board and transferred them back to their point of departure.”

The men were said to have been well prepared, with the right kit, and to have taken the right decision to call for help.