Five rescued after sea fog alert

Both of Rhyl's RNLI lifeboats were involved in the four-hour search off Prestatyn on Sunday afternoon.

Two more lifeboats and an RAF Valley rescue helicopter were also called into the search by Holyhead coastguards.

The two children had to be treated for mild hypothermia and an elderly man in the group needed oxygen therapy.

Coastguards were alerted by a 999 call from one of the waterbiker's mobile phones around 1500 BST on Sunday.

The group has left Barkby Beach in Prestatyn at around 1300 BST in perfectly clear skies.

But they became completely disorientated in thick mist when they reached the area near the North Hoyle windfarm and they called for help.

Extremely busy

A coastguard spokesman said the extreme fog hindered the air and sea search which also involved the Hoylake and Llandudno lifeboats.

But eventually the loud sound of the rescue helicopter engines and rotor blades allowed the stranded group to give their approximate location.

When they were found, the group were 10 miles away from the position they originally thought they were in.

Rhyl lifeboat took the group back to land where they were met by ambulance crews and checked over.

Carl Hiltunen, Holyhead coastguard watch manager, said it was an extremely busy say with many people attracted to the coast by the warm weather.

But the thick sea fog had caused many people to become lost and disorientated.

He said the party "were fortunate" that one of them held a mobile phone.

"We would like to remind everyone to enjoy the coast but ensure they have a fail safe way of to contact the coastguard for assistance if required. preferably a VHF radio, essentially a compass and also distress flares so we can locate their position and rescue them fast," said Mr Hiltunen.

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