Three lives saved and many more rescued from "dangerous" rip currents in Cornwall
RNLI lifeguards have had an extremely busy week
Lives have been saved and many more people have been rescued in a matter of days by RNLI lifeguards on beaches along Whitsand Bay, in south east Cornwall.
They saved eight people at Tregantle beach on Sunday (25 June) who'd been dragged out to sea in strong currents, including two people who were "very close to drowning".
Teams were also called to help a man last Thursday at Sharrow beach after he swam out beyond the red and yellow flags and into a rip current.
A senior RNLI lifeguard paddled out and managed to secure the exhausted man onto his rescue board, however due to the strong rip current off Sharrow point, they ended up in front of the rocks and had to call in a boat to help them to shore.
The recent warm and sunny weather has seen more people visit the region’s beaches, resulting in a very busy few days for the lifeguards in south east Cornwall.
The RNLI is urging people visiting the coast ahead of the peak summer season to be aware of strong rip currents, weather, and tide conditions, and to swim between the red and yellow flags at a lifeguarded beach.
Charlie Gillett RNLI Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for south east Cornwall said:
"Two of the last casualties who were pulled furthest out to sea were very close to drowning, however due to the quick actions of our lifeguard team, both lives were saved, and they walked away from the incident unharmed.
"This is a stark reminder of how conditions in the water can change very quickly. If you do find yourself caught in a rip current, don’t try to swim against it or you’ll get exhausted. If you can stand, wade don’t swim and if you can, swim parallel to the shore until free of the rip and then head for shore. Always raise your hand and shout for help."
Elsewhere on Saturday, teams headed towards Wiggle cliff - a mile to the east of the lifeguarded beach - to assist a capsized kayaker. Separately, a boy was also rescued that same day after being caught in a rip current just outside the lifeguard flags.
Mr Gillett has alerted people to the dangerous water conditions and is urging beachgoers to avoid unguarded beaches:
"This has been an incredibly busy past few days for our lifeguard team. We have seen an ongoing theme of dangerous rip current conditions and as a result, it has created an increased danger to all those who enter the water.
"I urge everyone to respect the conditions, follow the lifeguard advice and be well prepared for any water-based activity you have planned in the sea. Always try to visit an RNLI lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags."