News Story

Lifeboat crews rescued a swimmer stranded on an inflatable mattress, near an island off Edinburgh.

Queensferry Lifeboat was alerted at around 9.20am on Sunday, when a person was reported to be stranded on an inflatable mattress east of Cramond Island in the Firth of Forth.

The person had fallen into the water which was around 7C, but had managed to self-recover, and had been on the water since 8am, for around 90 minutes.

Volunteers for the lifeboat, based in South Queensferry, located the casualty and recovered them onto the lifeboat.

The person was wrapped up for warmth and it was assessed that an ambulance and rapid evacuation would be required, according to the charity.

It travelled to Granton Harbour, north Edinburgh, where the casualty was handed over to Scottish Ambulance Service crew, SORT and South Queensferry Coastguard Rescue Team.

The lifeboat was return to service at 11.15am, following the fourth callout this year.

Volunteer helm Stewart Atkinson said: “It was lucky that we got there when we did, as the casualty was extremely cold and was drifting further offshore, with the tide and offshore wind.

“This incident highlights that blow-up toys and airbeds are designed for pools, not the sea, where they can quickly be blown offshore.

“Always check the forecast and tide conditions, be aware that conditions inshore may seem fine, but further offshore they can be significantly worse.

“Always wear a Personal Flotation Device and make sure you are also wearing clothing suitable for the forecasted weather.

“If you get into trouble, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”