RNLI lifeguard crews have rescued two children within four minutes off the Co Antrim coast after they were caught in “a strong rip current’”.
Two young bodyboarders, in quick succession, were pulled out to sea in Portrush on Friday evening.
Owen Montgomery spotted a boy in difficulty and being taken further out to sea by a body of fast moving water at 5.28pm while he was on patrol.
The lifeguard took the RNLI rescue board and made his way towards the boy who was struggling to keep his head above the water after losing his bodyboard.
The rescuer was able to manoeuvre the child onto his board and get safely back to shore.
“The boy was shaken but thankfully did not need any further medical attention,” an RNLI spokesperson confirmed.
“Moments later, Owen was alerted to a 12-year-old girl who was in difficulty in the same rip current and who had let go of her bodyboard.
“The girl’s mother raised the alarm.
“Lifeguard Emma-Jane Service proceeded to take the first child out of Owen’s care while Owen rushed back into the waves to rescue the girl.”
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The girl’s mother, who does not wish to be named, is now warning others of the danger posed by rips.
‘I started to panic,” she said.
“The waves were so big and choppy and she seemed tiny out there.”
Mr Montgomery brought the girl safely back to shore and carried out routine first aid checks to ensure the casualty had not swallowed any water.
“I’m so grateful for Owen’s help,’ the girl’s mother said.
“If it wasn’t for him, I think I could have been facing a very different situation.
“He didn’t think twice about helping someone in need – it was such a selfless thing to do, I couldn’t be more grateful.”
RNLI’s Emma-Jane Service
RNLI is warning that rip currents are strong, fast bodies of water that move out to sea and can quickly drag people and debris away from the shallows of the shoreline and out to deeper water.
It said they tend to flow at 1–2mph but can reach 4–5mph, which is faster than an Olympic swimmer.
Rips are especially powerful in larger surf, but never underestimate the power of any water. They are also found around river mouths, estuaries and man-made structures like piers and groynes.
RNLI lifeguard Owen Montgomery, who also surfs in his spare time, said: ‘Rip currents can be hard to spot and you will struggle to swim against them.
“If you are ever caught in one, don’t try to swim against it or you’ll get exhausted. If you can stand, wade don’t swim. 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.”
RNLI has advised anyone in the water, even those who are not strong swimmers, to remember “Float to Live”.
News Catch Up – Wednesday 3rd September