14 year old in 'critical' condition after Blackpool sea rescue
A 12 and 14 year old were pulled out of the water by two teenage girls yesterday evening
Emergency crews were called to Central Pier at 17:54 yesterday evening (Monday 18th) to reports of four young people in the water.
An update from police in Blackpool has told us that two boys, aged 12 and 14 were rescued by two teenage girls after getting into difficulty.
The boys were given CPR before being taken away to hospital where they are now.
The 14 year old boy was taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital where his condition is described as 'Critical but stable'
A statement from Lancashire Police says:
"We were called at shortly before 6pm by the ambulance service following a report that two youngsters had got into difficulty in the water close to Central Pier.
The boys, aged 12 and 14, were pulled from the sea by two teenage girls and were given CPR by security staff before they taken by ambulance to hospital where they remain.
The 14-year-old is at Alder Hey where he is in a critical but stable condition and the 12-year-old is at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. He is described as poorly, but not critical."
This incident is the latest in a string across the North West since temperaturs have been rising.
A police spokesperson said:
"I have no doubt that if it hadn’t been for the brave and swift actions of the two girls who helped pull these boys from the water and the security staff who gave CPR that we would have been dealing with at least one fatality."
Over the last couple of weeks we've seen a number of people, mostly teenagers across the North West who have died after getting into difficulty in open water and a number of families left bereaved.
Police are pleading with people to enjoy the beach but to respect the water and take care around swimming in the sea, especially if you aren’t prepared or are not a strong swimmer.