SIX rowers had to be winched to safety by a rescue helicopter after their boat ran aground near St Osyth.
Clacton’s D class lifeboat was called to the aid of the rowers at Flag Creek just after at 1pm yesterday.
The rowers - one man and five women aged between 40 and 65 - had set off from Brightlingsea before running aground.
Lifeboat helmsman Darren Simper said: “We were unable to pull the vessel clear due to the state of the tide.
“Crewman Rick Burnell crossed the mud to board the rowing boat in order to check on the wellbeing of those on board and the D Class retreated.
“Two of the women, one aged 65, were very cold, so the Coastguard rescue helicopter from Kent was called in.
- The drama was caught on film by John Hancock
“The helicopter lowered a winchman on to the boat before winching up all six rowers and our crew member.
“They were taken to the golf course at the nearby Orchards Holiday Park at Point Clear.”
The park’s minibus took the rowers to the water taxi so they could be taken back across the river to Brightlingsea.
The rowing boat was due to be collected by Brightlingsea Harbourmaster at the next high tide.
- The Coastguard helicopter takes the rowers back to dry land
John Hancock caught the full drama on video.
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