AN intensive search and rescue operation was launched off the West Somerset coast on Friday afternoon (June 26) after a kayaker got into difficulties.

The kayaker capsized in the sea near Porlock Weir shortly before 4 pm and was unable to right his craft.

The incident prompted an immediate launch of Minehead Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI) Atlantic 85 lifeboat.

The Minehead crew was quickly assembled and made their way to Porlock Weir, where they were joined by HM Coastguard helicopter 187 from Saint Athan, in South Wales.

The crew of the helicopter quickly located the kayaker, who was being helped by the crew of a fishing boat from Porlock Weir.

The lifeboat crew then helped with getting the man on to the fishing boat, before his kayak was recovered.

Everybody involved then went into the Porlock Weir harbour where medical assistance was rendered by Coastguard land teams helped by a casualty carer from the lifeboat.

The kayaker was said to have been ‘cold but unharmed’.

An RNLI spokesperson told the Free Press: “This illustrates the importance of checking conditions before you leave and keeping a constant watch when conditions change.

“Despite the bright, hot, and sunny day, conditions at sea became very choppy as the tides changed.”

An HM Coastguard spokesperson confirmed that a report had been received of ‘a person in difficulty in the water after capsizing in a kayak’ near Porlock Weir Harbour.

They said a Minehead Coastguard rescue team, Minehead RNLI lifeboat, a Coastguard helicopter, and a vessel which was in the area were all sent to help.

The kayaker was recovered to the local fishing vessel and then met by the crew of the lifeboat.

The spokesperson said: “They were then taken ashore where they were met by coastguard rescue officers and checked over by the helicopter’s paramedic before making their own way home.”