Forages rescued after potentially eating hemlock

A pair of experienced foragers had to be rescued from an island after potentially eating poisonous hemlock, coastguards have said.

Barry Dock RNLI sent a lifeboat crew to Sully Island, off the Vale of Glamorgan coast, where the foragers were found in an anxious state.

They were moved from the island’s eastern beach to the mainland where Barry Coastguard Rescue Team found they had high pulse rates and put them on oxygen.

Hemlock with its umbrella-like clusters of white flowers looks and smells like parsley and has toxins that can cause death by attacking a person’s nervous system.

The foragers were rushed to A&E and the coastguard was stood down.

“We’ve since been in touch and are very relieved to hear that both have made a full recovery,” said Barry Dock lifeboat operations manager Bill Kitchen.

“They absolutely made the right call in seeking help – in situations like this, it’s crucial that medical attention is sought without delay.

“We’re very glad this had a positive outcome.”