Exhausted swimmer in rescue drama (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

4:06pm Thursday 29th July 2010

A PENSIONER was plucked to safety by lifeboat men after he became exhausted swimming in the sea.

The 78-year-old got into difficulty in the water at Holland Haven on Wednesday afternoon.

He managed to clamber onto a rock breakwater and was spotted by a beach cafe boss, who raised the alarm.

Clacton's inshore lifeboat raced into action.

Crew members waded into the water and helped the man to safety.

Gazette reader Tony Anderson captured the drama on his camera.

"The gentleman had become stranded on the large sea defence rocks when the tide came in faster and higher than he expected," he said.

RNLI spokesman Alan Osborn said the victim was unsteady on his feet but in good shape and didn't need medical treatment.

"With the aid of a hot cup of tea kindly provided by the cafe, he was soon fully recovered," said Mr Osborn.

It was the first of three rescues in the space of an hour.

The lifeboat was called into action again as it headed back to base after a teenage kite-surfer was caught out by a change in the wind direction.

Mr Osborn said: "He managed to reach the shore but without his kite which was rapidly heading out to sea."

The crew recovered the kite and returned it to the relieved youngster.

Minutes later Clacton Beach Patrol went to the rescue after two adults got into trouble near the Palace Breakwater.

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