RNLI beach lifeguards involved in multi-agency rescue at Norfolk beach
Lifeguards from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution were today involved in a major incident at Sea Palling, Norfolk, after four swimmers got caught in a rip current.
As well as RNLI lifeguards, the incident drew a response from Happisburgh RNLI lifeboat crew, Sea Palling independent lifeboat, Air Ambulance helicopters, the Coastguard, land ambulances, police, and the local fire service.
The drama unfolded just before midday when lifeguards learned the Coastguard had been alerted to an incident further along the shore from the lifeguarded beach – in the next bay some 800m away. Two of the three lifeguards from Sea Palling rushed to the scene and found four casualties were already out of the water and on the beach.
A 54-year-old man and a 26-year-old man had been helped from the sea by members of the public and were not breathing. A further two males – a 16-year-old boy and a man in his 20s – had exited the water by themselves.
Jack Hood, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor said: ‘It was an extremely busy scene with lots of people around, but it appears these four men got into distress in the water because of one of the notorious rips that can occur off this coast.
‘One of our lifeguards immediately started CPR on the 54-year-old, assisted by a member of the public who declared he was a medic. Meanwhile, a member of the public who had experience of first aid was giving CPR to the 26-year-old, so our lifeguard moved her focus to take over his treatment.
‘In the meantime, our other lifeguard had rushed to obtain oxygen and a defibrillator from the RNLI’s beach lifeguard unit. Whilst the 26-year-old was breathing when she returned with the equipment, the 54-year-old was not. Both RNLI lifeguards attempted to use the defibrillator on the older casualty, but the unit detected no shock was able to be administered. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead at the scene by Air Ambulance service personnel.’
The 26-year-old was taken to hospital by ambulance and the two swimmers who had got out of the water by themselves were thoroughly assessed and advised to seek medical help should they feel ill at any point later in the day. Both declined to go to hospital.
Jack said: ‘This is an awful, tragic outcome, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the older man. For a seemingly innocent swim in the sea on a hot day to turn into a tragedy like this is a heart-breaking thing for anyone to deal with.
‘We would remind anyone who is visiting the beach to be aware of the tides and the conditions, and wherever possible and practical, to swim at a lifeguarded beach. The RNLI’s lifeguards and lifeboat volunteers do everything in their power to assist and rescue people in distress, but this awful incident just goes to show the unpredictability and the potential danger of the sea.’
The RNLI is currently in the midst of its annual Respect the Water campaign, a safety initiative aimed at reducing the number of accidental drownings around our coastline and in inland waters. For information and safety advice, visit www.rnli.org.uk/respectthewater
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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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