MOD staff come to the aid of kayakers in distress
Two kayakers had a lucky escape thanks to quick thinking staff at Lulworth Ranges who spotted them getting into difficulty during an organised race from Portland to Lulworth Cove.
Dave Batchelor and his colleague Ross Cain from Debut Services, Defence Infrastucture Organisation’s (DIO) industry partner, came to the rescue after noticing a kayaker in trouble near Durdle Door while they were carrying out routine radar checks.
Mr Batchelor quickly raised the alarm and an army safety boat was sent to investigate. The crew found kayaker Richard Lewis injured and face down in the water. They pulled him to safety.and administered first aid before he was airlifted to Dorset County Hospital suffering from suspected hypothermia.
Another kayaker, who had come aground in Arish Mel Gap after missing the cove entrance due to extreme weather conditions, was found after straying into the Range Danger Area by an Access Warden at Lulworth Ranges.
Following reports of more kayackers in the sea and coming ashore, range safety staff decided to stop all firing so the Coast Guard could carry out a full sea and air rescue operation.
Lt Col (Retd) Ken Davies, Range Liaison Officer at Lulworth Ranges said:
“DIO’s priority is to support our Armed Forces as they prepare for operations. Not only did this incident stop military training, but, more importantly, it also put public lives at risk.
“We would ask that in future event organisers alert the relevant organisations well in advance so that should the weather conditions deteriorate we can work together to help minimise risk and ensure the safety of all participants.
“Fortunately everyone was accounted for after this incident, but military ranges can be dangerous places and it could have ended very differently had it not been for the quick reactions and sensible decisions of our staff.”
Lulworth Ranges are located on the south coast, between Weymouth and Poole. The Lulworth Range comprises more than 2,830 hectares and is within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
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Notes to Editors
- The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is part of the MOD. We are responsible for managing and maintaining land and properties, as well as providing related support services, to meet the current and future needs of the MOD and personnel at home and abroad, and to support current operations.
- Our work includes providing, supporting and improving: operational units; single living and service family accommodation; training areas and historic military sites. DIO actively manages these and supporting services, such as soft facilities management and guarding, to ensure the needs of Defence are met, value for money is achieved, heritage protected and environmental goals achieved.
Further information:
Press enquiries to Emma Sloper, Communications Officer 0121 311 2418 or email emma.sloper100@mod.uk
DIO website: www.gov.uk/dio