Off-duty RNLI lifeguard rescues mother and child at Sennen Cove

RNLI lifeguard Matthew Szlitchta had just finished his lifeguard patrols at Sennen Cove and was in a local beach café with the rest of the lifeguard team when they spotted the pair in difficulty at around 6.30pm.

The boy, aged around 10 years old, was on a bodyboard when he got caught in a rip current. The child’s mother had entered the water and was attempting to get them back to shore but was quickly becoming exhausted in the strong six foot surf.

Matthew immediately ran down to the waters edge and, using a borrowed surfboard, paddled over to the scene. The child had managed to make it back ashore, so Matt helped the lady back to safety, and also gave advice to other people in the water about the conditions.

Off duty lifeguards Tarryn Brown Ali Manly, Josh Magin and Stef Harkon were also on scene and assisted.

RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor Tim Palmer said: ‘We’re all very grateful to the lifeguards for going above and beyond and showing that a lifeguard is never off duty. The beach had been red flagged from 5pm to 6pm due to the dangerous conditions.

‘We’re expecting large surf and challenging conditions for the remainder of the week so we strongly urge people to visit a lifeguarded beach during patrol hours of 10am to 6pm, swim between the flags and follow the lifeguard – they are well-trained and experts on the local conditions so please listen to the advice they give.’

Notes to Editor

• RNLI lifeguards patrol over 249 beaches around the UK and Channel Islands

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