Blackpool RNLI volunteers launch to two incidents after busy family fun day

Blackpool RNLI volunteers were paged at 8pm after a family of two adults and four children were cut off by the tide at Gynn Square. While the lifeboat crew were preparing to launch to assist the family they were alerted to a second emergency at Squires Gate. A member of the public had called 999 to report that they were concerned about another person on the beach who may be in need of assistance.

Both of Blackpool’s D class lifeboats launched and headed to Gynn Square while the Atlantic 85 lifeboat headed towards Squires Gate. Fortunately when the volunteer crewmembers arrived on scene the casualties had all reached safety and no longer required assistance.

The call outs came just hours after Blackpool lifeboat station annual family fun day ended. Hundreds of visitors attended the RNLI station on the promenade on Saturday and enjoyed a fantastic array of games, activities, competitions and entertainment raising a huge amount for the charity in the process.

RNLI spokesperson Paul Parton said, ‘our annual family fun day was a huge success this year. We are extremely grateful to all of the generous visitors who came along and helped us to raise lots of money; their contributions will ensure that we can continue to save lives at sea.

We can’t launch our lifeboats without the generosity of our supporters and as tonight has proven there are lots of people who get into difficulty on our coastline and it’s important that we can launch quickly and get them the help they need as soon as possible.’

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Esther Lowe Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, RNLI Blackpool. Home 01253 508603, lifeboat station 01253 620424 or email [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.