Newcastle Coastguard has expressed shock and sadness after a rescue attempt ended with workers being assaulted.
Posting on social media, the rescue team said there are times as a Coastguard Rescue Officer they deal with particularly tragic incidents, long and difficult searches and events which have everyone “erupting in side-splitting laughter”.
This week they responded to an incident which was “shocking and sad”, the post said.
They explained that it was “unpleasant” and fortunately, behaviour they “rarely” experience.
“The team was tasked to an incident on the beach off Central Promenade in Newcastle, just after 15.20 on Monday afternoon, where a young man had entered the water,” a statement read.
“Team members responded, along with our colleagues from Kilkeel Coastguard Team, Newcastle RNLI and Police Newry, Mourne & Down and were met with behaviour that quiet frankly abhorred us.
“The young man we were sent to assist was highly aggressive, attempting to assault the Coastguards and police officers, refusing our appeals to calm down and verbally abusing everyone who came near him.
“One of our team members suffered kicks to the leg and to the head. A second team member took a knee to the stomach.
“As if that wasn’t bad enough, the casualty then began spitting at the Coastguards and police officers.”
It added: “He was arrested by the police and taken away in handcuffs.
“Our emergency service colleagues in the PSNI, Ambulance Service and Fire and Rescue Service report this type of behaviour is not unusual for them, but for those of us in the voluntary sector it came as a shock.
“We are volunteers who put in many long hours training and respond in all weathers and at all times of the day and night in the hope that we can do some good and keep the public safe.
“All of us love what we do and will not be put off by what is an isolated incident, but it is a sad day when people rushing to provide emergency assistance are assaulted and verbally abused by the person in need of help.
“Can we wish you all a happy and safe New Year.”
The PSNI has been contacted for comment.