‘Seb just kept passing out’

A couple who had a narrow escape when their personal watercraft broke down at sea have shared their story in a bid to warn others.

Sebastian Pixley and Kyra Farnum were in the water for 30 minutes before being picked up by a fishing vessel off Hengistbury Head, Dorset, in May.

Their rescuers arrived just in time as Mr Pixley, who was wearing only shorts, was becoming hypothermic.

He urged anyone “going in the sea at this time of year to definitely wear a wetsuit because the water is no joke”.

It had been a warm day and Mr Pixley had taken a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch but when their engine cut out, high winds meant they struggled to get back on board and the mobile phone was lost.

Ms Farnum, 19, said: “We were terrified no one was going to notice us.

“When we got on to the fishing boat, Seb started to have symptoms of hypothermia.

“His face was going blue and he was passing out. He couldn’t talk, he was shivering.”

Mr Pixley, 23, said: “I just had to keep as calm as I could. I was getting quite tired and I was freezing.

“It had been really hot by the car when we left but obviously it wasn’t that warm far out into the sea.”

The boat’s skipper called 999 and Mudeford RNLI lifeboat took the couple to shore to a waiting ambulance.

Mr Pixley said: “Bring not just a phone but also a waterproof pouch and a VHF radio, in case it does drop in the water or you lose it.

“Go out with a few people to keep an eye on you as well. Try to be in an area where there are other people so you can attract attention if it does go wrong.”

RNLI volunteer helm Andy Read, said: “We’d also remind everyone to take a means of communication, wear a lifejacket and tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back.”