THREE canoeists who planned to camp on a lake island have been rescued after getting into trouble in the water.

A major rescue operation was launched on Saturday, April 4, when the trio’s inflatable canoe capsized in a lake during Storm Dave.

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Two people hiking at night with headlamps lighting their path.
A major rescue operation was launched on SaturdayCredit: Keswick Mountain Rescue
 

An inflatable blue kayak on cobblestones in front of a police vehicle.
None of the people in trouble were wearing life jackets when their canoe capsizedCredit: Keswick Mountain Rescue
Police, fire, ambulance, mountain rescue, the coastguard and a helicopter all attended the scene in Derwentwater, the Lake District to safely rescue all three people involved.

Officials said none of those in trouble were wearing life jackets, and did not require hospital treatment.

One person managed to swim to shore, another swam to St Herbert’s island and the third person was rescued from the water.

The incident was one of many incidents that required Keswick Mountain Rescue Team to rush to save adventurers this weekend as Storm Dave battered parts of the country.

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A few hours after the incident on Derwentwater the same rescue team were called to reports of two teenagers wild camping at Sprinkling Tarn, near Seathwaite.

Thankfully the pair were found cold but unharmed and quickly escorted back to safety.

Writing about the Derwentwater rescue on its website, Keswick Mountain Rescue Team warned people of the dangers of going out in rough weather conditions and said it required the assistance of 16 of its members.

Staff from Greater North Air Ambulance Service, the North West Ambulance Service, Cumbria Police, Cumbria Fire and Rescue and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency also came to help with the rescue.

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In a statement on its website the local rescue team wrote: “On Saturday, 4 April 2026, during the busy bank holiday weekend, we were requested to assist in a major multi-agency operation following the capsize of an inflatable canoe on Derwentwater.

“The group had been seen the previous day, and it was suspected they had been heading off to camp on one of the islands.

“By Saturday morning—just before the peak of forecasted Storm Dave—conditions on the lake had become rough and entirely unsuitable for light leisure craft, despite the clear storm warnings in place.

“Three individuals were involved in the incident, none of whom were wearing personal flotation devices (PFDs).

“One made it to shore, another reached St Herbert’s Island, and a third remained in the water.

“A large-scale response was initiated, including Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team, Maryport Coastguard Rescue Team, and the HM Coastguard Helicopter, alongside Cumbria Police, Fire and Rescue, NWAS, and the Great North Air Ambulance.

“We were also grateful for the essential support from both the Keswick Launch and Derwent Water Marina, whose assistance was vital in navigating the choppy conditions.

“All three individuals were safely rescued and assessed by the air ambulance medical team, requiring no hospital treatment.

“This incident serves as a stark reminder to always wear a buoyancy aid, check weather forecasts, and ensure you have the correct skills and equipment for the conditions, especially when severe weather is predicted.”