Kayaker rescued 4km at sea after his Apple Watch sent distress signal – World News

Strong currents and winds separated the two kayakers off the coast of Sydney, with one having to call 911 after being unable to paddle back to shore

A distress call on an Apple Watch meant a kayaker who had been swept 4km out to sea could be rescued by helicopter.

The man had originally dated another kayaker on Sydney’s North Shore – but they got separated.

Yesterday morning (Saturday 18 June) strong currents and winds swept one of them out to sea and forced him to use his Apple Watch to make an emergency call just after 9am.

A search was then launched with the New South Wales (NSW) Police Force Marine Area Command seeking help from the rescue helicopter and surf lifeguards.

Jet skis and inflatable lifeboats have also been used by Manly lifeguards and the Freshwater Surf Lifesaving Club.

The orange kayak was spotted nearly 4km offshore by the rescue helicopter, at which point the kayaker was struggling to stay upright due to fatigue.

Helicopter rescuer Nick Pavlakis said, according to 9 News Daily Mail : “He fell out of his kayak and had taken on quite a bit of water.

“He was lucky to have a connection on his device to make that desperate call for help.”

Just before 9:30 a.m., the kayaker was pulled aboard the helicopter and the kayak was brought back to shore by lifeguards.

The helicopter landed at a sports oval in Balmoral but the man refused treatment from paramedics as he said he was not injured.

The search for the second kayaker was called off when officers were able to reach him by phone and were told he had returned to shore.

The Bureau of Meteorology yesterday issued a warning of dangerous surf blanketing the Sydney coast after waves reached 7m the night before.

Another warning was issued this morning (Sunday 19 June) for the coasts of Coffs Harbor and Byron Bay, urging swimmers, rock fishermen and boaters to exercise caution.