Sharrow RNLI lifeguards rescue two young boys from rip current

Two young boys, aged 14 and 19, were playing with a football near at the waters edge close to a known fixed rip current just off the beach. RNLI lifeguard Tyler Smith radioed over to colleague Milly Curry to ask her to advise the two boys and a couple of other beachgoers of the dangers of the current.

Whilst Milly was making her way over, one of the boys kicked the ball out away from the shore and the pair entered the water to try and retrieve it. Tyler immediately radioed to Milly that the two casualties needed help as they were quickly being swept out of their depth due to the strength of the rip.

When Milly reached the scene, one casualty had managed to make his way up onto the rocks whilst the other was left clinging to the base of them. Milly swam over and helped the casualty hanging onto the rocks back to shore using a rescue tube. She then went back for the second casualty who had to jump into the rescue tube from his position.

Beau Gillett, RNLI lifeguard supervisor for the area, said:

‘Due to the geography of the beach, when you enter the water in this specific area, the sea floor shelves away leaving you very quickly out of your depth. This along with the strong fixed rip current meant the boys were out of their depth and being dragged out to sea.

The fixed rip current on Sharrow beach is always signposted so, when you are visiting the beach, always swim between the red and yellow flags as this marks the safest area in the water.’

Notes to Editor

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

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