A KAYAKER suffering from hypothermia, who was rescued from the sea off Studland on Sunday, may have been in the water for four hours.

Two men walking on Knoll Beach at around 3.40am called the Coastguard after hearing cries for help coming from the sea.

When officers arrived, they found the two men and a 27-year-old casualty on the shoreline.

The third man, who officials said was in the water for "some time", had been aboard a kayak that capsized and sank.

He was given immediate first aid and paramedics were called to North Haven, close to the chain ferry.

The casualty was then carried into the lifeboat by a member of Poole RNLI crew and rushed to paramedics.

He was taken to Poole Hospital. 

A spokesperson from the RNLI said: "Solent Coastguard tasked the Poole inshore lifeboat and Swanage Coastguard to Knoll Beach after a report of a person in the water some 40 yards off the shore.

"While on route, communications came through that the coastguard team had found the casualty washed up upon the beach.

"It was reported that the casualty was deteriorating rapidly and had been in the water for approximately four hours.

"Immediate evacuation was requested."

Volunteer helmsman Alex Evans said: "Studland Bay was teeming with hundreds of vessels at anchor and we had to navigate carefully through boats with no anchor lights, using radar.

"It's reported that the casualty had been kayaking.

"If it wasn't for the first informant who called in the sighting of this chap in the water, it could have been a very different outcome.

"He was extremely fortunate."

Earlier that night, at around 1.15am, crews had been called to help a man suffering a medical emergency.

Volunteers rushed to a 24-foot yacht anchored in Studland Bay to evacuate the casualty.

More than 50 vessels were at anchor nearby, and the inshore lifeboat crew were guided to their location by flashlight.

The casualty was then taken on board the lifeboat.

A spokesperson from the Poole RNLI said: "Due to the casualty's ailment, the lifeboat had to come back into the harbour slowly to make him as comfortable as possible.

"When the lifeboat arrived back at the station, the casualty was transferred to an ambulance that was standing by and was taken on to Poole Hospital.

"The lifeboat was back in service by 2.30am."