VIDEO: Teenage girl rescued from rip current by RNLI lifeguards at Aberporth
A teenage girl was rescued by RNLI lifeguards after she was swept out of her depth by a rip current in the sea at Aberporth Beach.
The 13-year-old girl had been dragged out about 50m from the beach by the outward flowing current. She was in the water about 50m to the north of the red and yellow flagged swimming area near the rocky reef.
RNLI lifeguard Anuera Phillips, who was on a water’s edge patrol, alerted fellow lifeguard Alex Hart, who immediately paddled out to the girl on a surf rescue board.
With 1-2ft waves breaking over the girl, Alex was able to bring her onto the surf rescue board and return her into the shallow water to be reunited with her family. Aneura then treated the girl for some minor scrapes and cuts she had sustained from the rocks.
RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor Michael Vincent said: ‘Our lifeguard team were glad to be able to rescue this girl and that there was a good outcome to this incident.
‘We would encourage anyone visiting the coast this summer to visit a lifeguarded beach and always swim between the red and yellow flags, which is the area designated as the safest area for swimming by our professional lifeguard team.’
In a separate incident on Friday (11 August) RNLI lifeguards stationed on Aberystwyth North Beach responded to a man who was suffering chest pains in a nearby book shop.
The Welsh Ambulance Service had issued a call to first responders in the area to go to the man’s aid shortly after 2pm and lifeguards Hannah Brand and Carwyn Francis and were quickly at the shop, which was about 150m from their beach lifeguard unit base. The man, who was in his 60s, was in pain, was clammy and had an elevated breathing rate. The lifeguards carried out treatment and administered oxygen and by the time paramedics arrived he was more comfortable. He was taken to hospital by paramedics.
Michael added: ‘We hope the man is making a full and speedy recovery.
‘As well as being able to respond to water emergencies, our lifeguards carry a range of first aid equipment and are fully first aid trained. We would always encourage people to come to the lifeguard units on our beaches and ask for help if they see anyone in need of first aid assistance on or near the beach.’
The RNLI is asking people to visit RNLI.org/RespectTheWater where they will find safety advice. On social media search #RespectTheWater.
Notes to editors:
The attached video shows RNLI lifeguard Alex Hart rescuing the girl, who had drifted out of her depth in a rip current at Aberporth (credit RNLI/Michael Vincent).
The attached picture is a screen grab from the video (credit RNLI/Michael Vincent).
Media contacts:
For more information please contact Chris Cousens, RNLI Press Officer, Wales and West, on 07748 265 496 or 01745 585162 or by email on [email protected].
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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
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