Kayaker found face down in water

A man has been airlifted to hospital after being found face down in the sea off the coast of Mumbles near Swansea.

Coastguards were called out after the 32-year-old man was spotted in the water.

The man is believed to have gone kayaking without a life jacket, and was said to be inexperienced.

As well as the coastguards, the RNLI and crews of two local boats helped in the rescue. He is said to be recovering well in hospital.

The incident happened at around 1400 BST on Saturday and the Mumbles Coastguard Rescue Team and the RNLI Mumbles Inshore Lifeboat were called out.

Rescuers appealed for help from local vessels in the area and the man was pulled from the water by the Mumbles Yacht Club's safety boat.

Unsuitable clothing

He was brought ashore and then taken to hospital by an RAF rescue helicopter from Chivenor.

David Jones, Swansea Coastguard Watch manager, said the man had gone kayaking wearing nothing but a pair of shorts.

"This gentleman was found face down in the water," he said.

"Although inexperienced, he paddled out to sea without any floatation device or suitable clothing for the cold water.

"This rescue, involving two boats, a lifeboat, a helicopter and a team of our Coastguard Rescue volunteers could have been avoided if a few sensible precautions had been taken before the kayaker set out.

"Nevertheless, the person who raised the alarm did entirely the right thing by calling 999.

"If you see someone in trouble on the coast dial 999 and ask for the coastguard"