Five people have been rescued from Derwentwater amidst a search for the owner of an unattended paddleboard.
Keswick mountain rescue were called at around 7.08pm last night to a group of five in two canoes who were heading towards St Herbet’s Island.
One of the canoes holding three people capsized in the rough and windy conditions.
Another member of the group managed to self rescue and tried to help the other two in the water.
When the other canoe made it to the island, they called for assistance.
Rescue teams then launched the rescue boat at Derwentwater Mariana and were quickly on the scene despite windy conditions.
The rescue boat then picked up the other two from the island and all five were safely taken to Keswick launches.
All were cold but one was suffering from mild hypothermia and was taken for examination by the ambulance service.
Canoes and equipment were recovered by the Keswick Launch Company and Denton House Hostel provided accommodation to the group.
While the incident involving the group was ongoing – an additional search operation was launched after a paddleboard with a snapped ankle strap was found in open water near Friar’s Crag.
The five from the canoe rescue advised that it did not belong to them but that they had seen it earlier near to St Herbert’s Island.
A search of the lake and lakeshore was carried out with both Whitehaven and Maryport Coastguard teams present, including the coastguard helicopter.
With no person located during the extensive search, nor any reported missing or overdue people on the water, the search was stood down at around 10pm.
Nathan Major, station officer for Whitehaven Coastguard said: “This paddleboard incident shows the importance of people taking to the water needing to ensure their kit and equipment is adequately labelled with the owners contact information.
“Ahead of the finer weather coming, we would encourage all water users to please take the time now to label their equipment, meaning a swift closure to any future incidents of this nature.”
Coastguard teams have also thanked Theatre by the Lake – who provided hot drinks for searchers.
Keswick mountain rescue said the owner of the paddleboard has now been identified and found safe and well.
The team said the paddleboarder had been blown off his board, but had made it safely back to shore.
