Emergency services called to River Axe after kayaks capsize

Coastguards were called to the fifth incident of the year at the mouth of the River Axe this morning, when two kayaks capsized.

Beer Coastguards and Sidmouth independent lifeboat were called to the scene at about 9am this morning, after reports that two men were in the water and struggling to get ashore.

The lifeboat sent a crew member ashore and coastguard team members met the casualties to check they were safe and well. Both casualties were shaken but otherwise ok.

The second kayak was then seen 250 metres off shore and was brought ashore by the lifeboat.

A spokesperson for Beer Coastguards said: "The two men had paddled down to the river mouth to have a look but the current took them both out through the river mouth before they knew what was happening.

"This was our fifth incident at the river mouth this year. If you're going to kayak out of a river mouth and you don't know what its like, please check the tide and have a look from the shore first.

"If these two men had done that they would not have attempted it with the level of experience they had. This was a birthday treat for one of them, one they won't forget."