Kayakers rescued

Three kayakers had to be plucked from rocks after capsizing near Pepin Island, in Nelson’s Cable Bay.

The Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter was called out to rescue the two men and a woman after they got into trouble about 10.10am on Monday.

Pilot Euan Stratford said it appeared that a couple, a man and a woman, had capsized, and the other kayaker had gone to their aid but also capsized, dislocating his shoulder. ‘‘He wasn’t too happy about things.’’

The trio couldn’t be reached by boat, so they were winched off the rocks by the rescue helicopter crew.

The couple were dropped at the beach, while the injured man was taken to Nelson Hospital. Nelson Coastguard retrieved the kayaks, Stratford said.