Kayakers off beach spark rescue drama

THREE kayakers had to be rescued by the Coastguard after getting into difficulty off Portobello beach.

The emergency services received numerous 999 calls from concerned onlookers in Portobello yesterday afternoon.

The three men were about half a mile from the shore, drifting towards Leith, and one of the kayakers fell into the water.

They managed to contact the Coastguard on their mobile phone, who told them to keep the three kayaks together and make sure the man who had fallen in remained beside them at all times.

The Kinghorn lifeboat was launched, and a second team was also dispatched from Fisherrow to rescue the men.