Kayaking group rescued from river

Five teenagers and two adults were rescued after severe weather ruined a sea scouts kayaking trip in Devon.

The group from the West Devon Explorers were out on the River Tamar on Friday evening when they ran into difficulty.

The kayaks were being towed by a safety boat on the water when the boat ran out of fuel.

Brixham Coastguard said two teenagers went into the water, before scrambling to shore and raising the alarm at a nearby house. All were rescued unhurt.

"I couldn't think of a worse place to be"
Dave Colmer, Brixham Coastguard

The scouts had been on a camping trip at Cotehele Quay in Cornwall.

Brixham Coastguard coordinated the rescue, which involved an RAF helicopter from RMB Chivenor, lifeboat crews and a Ministry of Defence launch.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman Dave Colmer said it was a hard lesson for the group to learn.

"Things would have been easier if they'd contacted us to tell us they were out on the water," he told BBC News.

Mr Colmer said conditions were "not ideal" with heavy rain and winds gusting up to severe gale force nine (50mph/40 knots).

"It was a terrible night - I couldn't think of a worse place to be."

The Scout Association said it was aware of the incident and an investigation would be carried out into the surrounding issues.

Spokesman Andrew Thorp told BBC News the members taking part were aged between 14 and 18.

'Unspecified difficulties'

He said it was a planned activity which had begun at 1830 BST.

In a statement, Mr Thorp said: "The safety boat had unspecified engine difficulties and required support from the coastguard and associated rescue services.

"The Adult Leader and 5 Explorer Scouts continued on their way to their planned destination and arrived safely."

He said no-one was injured and denied any of the young people had entered the water at any time.

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