Beer coastguards and other emergency services helped save the life of a canoeist who got into severe difficulties and was swept out to sea after his kayak capsized in the swollen River Axe.
The 45-year-old was found clinging to a buoy 100 metres offshore at Seaton after several members of the public raised the alarm, around 7pm on Sunday.
Beer coastguards and Lyme Regis lifeboat crew found the Honiton man had swallowed large quantities of sea water. They sent him by helicopter to hospital in Dorchester where he made a full recovery.
Beer Coastguard, Terry Hoare, said the stricken kayaker’s life jacket “probably saved his life” and prevented him being sucked underwater at the turbulent river mouth.
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