RNLI lifeguards rescue five kids on inflatable dinghies off Prestatyn beach
Five children, aged between three and 11, were rescued from an inflatable dinghy drifting off Prestatyn beach yesterday afternoon.
RNLI lifeguards Anastassis Lamprou and Simon Pilkington spotted four boys and one girl off Prestatyn beach in two inflatables tied together yesterday lunchtime. The children were using spades as paddles and were drifting out to sea.
Simon immediately took the rescue board, followed closely by Anastassis, and paddled over to the group. As they lifeguards arrived the inflatables had snagged on the rocks and was starting to fill up with water. The youngest member of the group, a three year old boy, was transferred first onto the rescue board and paddled back to shore. Anastassis stayed with the remaining group to help keep the children calm as Simon ferried the children one by one back to the beach.
Back on the beach the children were all checked over and given safety advice by the lifeguards before returning to their parent.
Matt Jessops, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor said:
‘It’s very important that people are careful when using inflatables on the coast and not to use them at all if there are offshore winds. If you’re unsure please ask the lifeguards, they’ll be more than happy to offer advice and help.’
RNLI lifeguards provide a daily safety service on Rhyl and Prestatyn beach throughout the summer. The charity’s lifeguards are ready at their posts between 10am-6pm to offer safety advice and assistance over the summer holidays.
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For more information contact Eleri Roberts, RNLI Public Relations Manager on 01745 585162 / 07771 941390 or email [email protected].
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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.
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