A lone swimmer had to be plucked from the icy waters of the Bristol Channel after getting into difficulties in Clevedon Bay.
Other swimmers alerted the emergency services at around 11am yesterday (Monday, December 7) after becoming concerned about the woman who had entered the water by Marine Lake and was planning to swim to the pier.
Clevedon Coastguard Rescue Team raced to the scene where they found the woman and called Portishead RNLI for assistance.
A spokesman for Clevedon Coastguard Rescue Team said: “Other experienced swimmers dialled 999 and expressed concern that the swimmer was likely to get into difficulty.
“Once on scene we monitored her progress.
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“It soon became apparent that she was not going to make it to safety without help, so we requested support from RNLI Portishead.”
Once on scene Portishead RNLI crews pulled the woman from the water and took her ashore where she was met by coastguard crews.
The woman was wrapped in blankets and a survival bag and stretchered to a waiting ambulance.
The woman was taken to hospital for treatment.
The spokesman added: “She was transferred to hospital for treatment suffering from the effects of an extended period of time in the water.”
A spokesman for Portishead RNLI said: “ With sea temperatures very low this time of year the crew made best speed to the reported position of the swimmer.
"With sea conditions calm and flat they were able to locate the casualty quickly and go alongside them and recover them in to the safety of the lifeboat..
“Thank you to the vigilance of the swimmers on the shore for calling 999 and asking for the coastguard, this was exactly the right thing to do.”
Coastguards are warning of the dangers of getting into the water as temperatures start to fall during the winter.
The spokesman added: “The sea temperature is falling as we move into winter.
"Please consider carefully before entering the water.
“Please swim within your limits.”
Anyone who spots someone in difficulty along the coast should call 999 and ask for the coastguard.
