Five rowers were plucked from cold waters by Exmouth RNLI volunteers and Coastguard Helicopter.

On an icy Sunday morning at 11.12am, September 28th , Exmouth RNLI volunteer inshore lifeboat crew were tasked by Brixham Coastguards to assist in the rescue of five rowers, three women and two men from Exmouth Rowing Club, who had capsized into the sea near Pole Sands.

Several members of the public had spotted the upturned boat and casualties and rang 999. Portland Coastguard helicopter 106, which was on exercise in Sidmouth, arrived on scene and picked up three of the people (one man and two women) while the inshore lifeboat crew rescued the other two (one man and one woman). The casualties had been in the cold waters for around ten minutes and were all suffering the effects of cold. The Coastguard helicopter landed briefly at the end of the Boathouse ramp to pick up the other two casualties and transferred them all to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter. Police, the rapid response vehicle and local coastguards were also in attendance.

Exmouth RNLI inshore lifeboat crew recovered the rowing boat back the station, assisted in righting it by the shore crew, then towed the boat to the ramp near the rowing club.