Tramore RNLI rescue child who drifted 200 metres out to sea during swim

The call for help was raised when the boy’s friends rang the emergency services after they were able to come ashore but lost sight of him.

Tramore RNLI responded to the emergency with Tramore Coast Guard unit and Rescue 117 from Waterford. The call for help came in at 5.02pm and the lifeboat was launched at 5.07pm, reaching the child in two minutes. The incident happened at the Lower Promenade on Tramore Beach, near the lifeboat station.

When volunteer lifeboat crew reached the child he was floating in the water with his face turned up, exhausted and unable to swim to safety. He was immediately taken onboard the lifeboat and brought to shore. There he was met by ambulance and taken to hospital to receive medical attention.

Commenting on the callout Tramore RNLI volunteer Paul Tuohy said, “ This was one incredibly lucky boy. There were a number of surfers out that day and they had not spotted him as he had drifted beyond the surf line and they could not see him. Thanks to his friends having a means of contact, the alarm was raised quickly and the RNLI and Coast Guard responded. We wish him a full recovery from his ordeal and commend his friends for having the presence of mind to call for help and give the emergency services the details.’

Swimming is becoming an increasingly popular activity on the coast and the RNLI advise the following if taking part:

• Be prepared. Check the weather and tides, choose your spot, go with a buddy, have the right equipment.

• If in doubt, don’t go out. No matter how much preparation you do, or how experienced you are, if a swim doesn’t feel right there is no shame in getting out of the water straight away, or not entering.

• Make sure you acclimatise to avoid cold water shock.

• Be seen. Wear a bright coloured swim hat and take a tow float.

• Stay within your depths.

• Float to live.

• Call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard in an emergency.

Ends

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Paul Tuohy, Tramore RNLI Press Officer Tel:

086 365 1977 email: [email protected] or

Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Media Manager Tel: 00353 87 1254 124 email: [email protected] or

Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Media Officer Tel: 00353 87 648 3547 email: [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.