Leo speaks up to raise the alarm as two boys are caught by rising tide

Leo was enjoying his regular few hours at the beach with his dad, Ash, near the Captain's Wife in Sully, when he noticed something that nobody else had seen.

Two boys were in trouble in the water.

Leo’s Autism and Global Development Delay means he has significant struggles with communication and although he loves visiting the coast and watching the movement of the sea, his diagnosis means he struggles to start conversations or spontaneously draws attention to things around him. But on this occasion, Leo turned to his dad and told him that he thought two boys were in trouble.

Recognising how difficult it was for Leo to speak up in this way, Ash immediately realised that something must be seriously wrong.

He could see that the boys were in danger. One was already up to his chest in water and struggling against the current as he attempted to make his way back to the mainland, with the incoming tide making conditions increasingly hazardous.

Ash immediately contacted HM Coastguard, remaining on the telephone as the rescue operation got under way.

Barry Dock RNLI's D-class inshore lifeboat was launched to assist the two boys, who were caught out by the rapidly rising tide and strong currents.

Even though it was now dark, Leo and Ash remained on the shore, watching as the volunteer lifeboat crew reached the boys and brought them safely ashore, safe and well.

Ash, Leo's dad, said:

'I'm so unbelievably proud of Leo and what he did that day. Because of his significant challenges, I was surprised and so impressed that he was able to show the level of awareness and do the right thing by telling me that he thought two boys were in trouble.

'When I looked towards the island and realised what was happening, I knew we needed to get help straight away.

'I'm so pleased that Leo spotted them and spoke up. It could have been a very different story if he hadn't raised the alarm.

'Seeing him recognised by the RNLI has been wonderful. He absolutely deserves it, and I couldn't be prouder of him.'

A special invitation for a very special young man

When the volunteer crew at Barry Dock RNLI later heard about Leo's actions, they were so impressed that they invited him and his dad to visit the lifeboat station to thank him personally.

Last week, Leo was given a special tour of the station, an opportunity to explore both the all-weather lifeboat and the D-class inshore lifeboat and meet some of the people who help save lives at sea.

He met Coxswain Andy Gavan, mechanic Jules, visiting mechanic Ed from the Isle of Man, volunteer crew member Nick and volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Lisa.

But the highlight of the visit was a special presentation recognising Leo's actions that day.

The crew presented him with a certificate to thank him for his awareness and for speaking up when he spotted that the two boys were in difficulty.

For a person who can find verbal communication challenging, his decision to tell his dad what he had seen was particularly significant. And for the lifeboat crew, it was an opportunity to recognise someone whose actions had made a real difference.

Andy Gavan, Coxswain at Barry Dock RNLI, said:

'Leo is an absolutely brilliant young man, and it was a real pleasure to welcome him and his dad to the station.

'What makes this story so special is that Leo spotted something was wrong and made sure his dad knew about it. He recognised that those boys needed help, and he spoke up.

'We often talk about the importance of people looking out for one another around the coast, and Leo is a perfect example of exactly that.

'His actions meant that his dad was able to raise the alarm and get help on its way and we wanted him to know just how much we appreciated what he did.

'It was lovely to show him around the station, introduce him to some of the crew and present him with his certificate. He's a real star.'

A reminder that speaking up can save lives

The rescue also highlights the dangers of the rapidly changing tides around the South Wales coast, particularly near Sully Island, where visitors can be caught out by incoming tides and strong currents.

Even when the sea appears calm, conditions can change quickly, leaving people stranded or in danger as they attempt to return to shore.

For Barry Dock RNLI's volunteer crew, Leo's story is also a reminder that everyone can play a part in keeping people safe at the coast.

You don't need to be a lifeboat crew member to make a difference. Sometimes, noticing that someone is in difficulty and telling someone who can help is the first step towards saving a life.

The Barry Dock RNLI is reminding everyone visiting the coast to:

• Check tide times before setting out and allow plenty of time to return safely.
• Be aware that incoming tides can cut off access to the mainland much more quickly than expected.
• Never enter the water to attempt a rescue yourself.
• If you see someone in difficulty at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

And, as Leo has shown, if something doesn't look right, don't ignore it.

Your actions could help save a life.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Lisa Newberry, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Wales & West, [email protected]

Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Wales, West of England and Isle of Man, 07977 728 315, [email protected]

Danielle Rush, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Wales, West of England and Isle of Man, 07786 668829, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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