A kayaker was left in a “life threatening situation” when he was forced to cling to his friend out at sea after his own craft sunk and he was without a life jacket.

Lifeboats from the Lizarda nd Penlee were scrambled at 6pm yesterday after Falmouth Coastguard Station were alerted to two kayakers in distress off Gunwalloe.

The Penlee inshore lifeboat crew found the pair around three quarters of a mile from Poldhu, with one of the kayaks obviously sinking and only its front visible above the water.

A man in his late 20s, dressed only in a T-shirt and shorts, was in the water clinging to his friend’s kayak; neither of them were wearing life jackets.

He was lifted onboard the inshore lifeboat and wrapped in blankets, before being taken to Mullion Harbour where he was handed into the care of Mullion Coastguarde Rescue Team and subsequently an ambulance crew.

He had a very low body temperature but was responding well to warming and was taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro for further treatment.

He was described as being “very, very cold, obviously shocked, and exceptionally relieved to have been rescued.”

The lifeboat then returned to collect the sinking kayak and escort the other kayaker safely back to Mullion Cove.

Penlee lifeboat spokesman James Roberts, who was at the helm of the lifeboat, said: “This shout could have had a very different ending. Both kayakers had taken a huge risk by putting to sea unequipped.

"Even in fine, calm weather there are strong currents running at all times. No-one should even think about putting out on a kayak without a life jacket or appropriate clothing, because one slight mishap is all it takes to put them into a life-threatening situation.

“There is no doubt that the prompt response of our volunteer crew has definitely led to another life saved.”

Onboard the lifeboat with Mr Roberts were crew members Paul Boulton, Adrian Bick and Amy Smith.

The first day of the long Easter weekend proved to be a busy one for Cornwall’s RNLI, with Falmouth inshore lifeboat also sent on a shout.

It launched at 1.20pm yesterday to help a kite surfer in trouble near Portscatho.

It was the first shout for newly qualified helm Jamie Connolly, who was joined by Chris Simpson and Tamara Brookes as crew.

However, when the lifeboat arrived it was clear that he had made his way back to shore and was in the care of Portscatho Coastguard Team.