Man trying to reach island on inflatable mattress rescued from Firth of Forth

Man trying to reach island on inflatable mattress rescued from Firth of Forth

A man trying to reach Cramond Island, located off the coast of Edinburgh, found himself in a perilous situation when he fell into the sea while using an inflatable mattress as transportation. The incident occurred around 09:20 on Sunday, according to the RNLI Queensferry Lifeboat. The man had embarked on his journey at 08:00, hoping to reach the tidal island across the Firth of Forth.

Despite not wearing a wetsuit or a life jacket, the man was able to climb back onto the inflatable bed after falling into the cold water, which was approximately 7°C. However, strong currents carried him off course, prompting him to call emergency services for help. Cramond Island can be accessed from the mainland at low tide via a paved path over Drum Sands, but this path becomes submerged when the tide rises, making access tricky.

When rescued, the man was found to be dressed in everyday clothes without proper equipment for the icy conditions. Upon reaching the lifeboat, rescuers immediately wrapped him in warm blankets and determined that he needed urgent medical attention. The lifeboat then transported him to Granton harbour, where the Scottish Ambulance Service was waiting to provide further care.

Stewart Atkinson of RNLI Queensferry Lifeboat emphasized the dangers of using inflatable toys in the sea, noting, “It was lucky that we got there when we did, as the casualty was extremely cold and was drifting further offshore, with the tide and offshore wind.” He cautioned the public that these items are intended for pools and can quickly be swept away by sea conditions. He also urged people to always check weather and tide forecasts, wear personal flotation devices, and dress appropriately for the conditions they may encounter

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