Lifeboat almost capsizes in battle to rescue ‘idiot’ surfer during Storm Ciara

A lifeboat also most capsized in Hastings as rescuers battled to save a surfer during Storm Ciara.

Shocking footage shows a wave knocking the RNLI Hastings boat onto its side as it attempted to travel through the choppy water.

Witness Paul Hogg, who filmed the clip, stated that the volunteers had been trying to help a surfer who had come off his board.

He captioned the video: ‘Brave boys from RNLI off out to rescue some idiot surfer off Hastings in Storm Ciara. Come home safe boys.’

Another witness then shared a video of who they believed to be the surfer, showing him struggling among the fast-paced waves.

Brave boys from @RNLI off out to rescue some idiot surfer off Hastings in #StormCiara. Come home safe boys pic.twitter.com/6714gWmtTQ

— Paul Hogg (@upshot11) February 9, 2020

While a third person posted footage of a helicopter also flying over the area in search of the person in the water.

The RNLI team later confirmed the surfer had been brought ashore safely.

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They added that their boat was not damaged during the mission, with all their vessels built to withstand extreme weather conditions.

A spokesperson said: ‘We’re happy to report that we’re all safe, well and uninjured and the boat is undamaged and safely berthed next to RNLI Eastbourne.

‘We’re on our way back to Hastings now.’

Storm Ciara is continuing to batter the UK today, with hundreds of flood warnings in place across the country.

A red ‘danger to life’ warning has been issued for severe flooding for the River Nidd at Pateley Bridge in north Yorkshire.

While in Bury, evacuations are reportedly ‘imminent’ after the River Irwell bursts its banks.

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Wind speeds also reached up to 90mph in some parts of the nation, leaving a trail of transport disruption as trees, power lines, and even lorries were blown down.

Three people were injured after part of a pub roof collapsed in Perth on Saturday evening and emergency services were called to Flitwick, Bedfordshire, on Sunday after a tree fell onto a car.

Thousands have also been left stranded in airports, with planes unable to take off or land in the UK due to the bad weather.

The Met Office has advised people not to travel in the storm unless absolutely necessary.