Cullercoats RNLI helps to save a teenage swimmer
Cullercoats RNLI was called out this evening (Sunday 24 April) to aid two teenage swimmers who were in difficulty in the centre of Cullercoats Harbour.
The charity’s inshore lifeboat launched at 5.59pm after responding to a report from the Coastguard of people struggling in the water near the South Pier.
The lifeboat quickly reached the scene and found that one of the teenagers had been thrown a life ring by his friends and had managed to get back to the pier. However, the second boy was struggling to make it back to safety owing to the high water and two metre swell.
Cullercoats RNLI’s volunteer crew helped the teenager into the lifeboat and took him back to the lifeboat house for treatment. On arrival, the crew performed a first-aid check which confirmed that the boy was suffering from extreme effects of the cold and was hypothermic.
The crew warmed him up with blankets and heaters. He then took a hot shower to increase his body temperature. The second teenager was also checked over at the lifeboat station and warmed up.
Both the boys received another check-up, this time from paramedics, before being taken to hospital for further treatment.
Frank Taylor, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Cullercoats RNLI said: ‘Although visibility was good this evening and it was quite sunny, the teenager was struggling in the rough water and swell near the South Pier.
‘When our lifeboat reached him he was exhausted and barely had any strength left to carry on trying to swim. We were thankful that we were able to rescue him and bring him back to safety. I wish him and his friend a speedy recovery.
‘I’d also like to thank local police, Coastguard teams and Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade who helped co-ordinate the search.’
Media contacts
For more information, please contact, Clare Hopps, RNLI Public Relations Officer, North, on 07824 518641 or at [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 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.