Three young people rescued from rocks at Redcar

A boy and a girl aged 14-years-old and the boy’s eight-year-old sister were exploring the rocks as the tide started coming in and found their route to shore had disappeared under the rising sea. They were seen by an off-duty RNLI volunteer who then raised the alarm.

The Redcar RNLI’s inshore lifeboat launched just before 7pm and had to be manoeuvred through submerged rocks to reach the location of the three children.

They were brought to the lifeboat by a crew member who had to wade onto the rocks and then carry the youngest child and escort the other two back to the lifeboat.

They were brought ashore where UK Coastguard and one of the teenager’s parents was waiting.

Dave Cocks, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Redcar RNLI, said: ‘This is an all-too common type of incident in the summer, especially when the school holidays begin.

‘An innocent exploration of the rocks ended in a potentially dangerous situation. Once the rocks are covered it is so much more difficult to find an escape route. There are large holes down which someone could fall and become injured. And attempting to swim can bring its own dangers.’

Dave Cocks added: ‘The seaside is a fun place to be, but everyone has to learn to respect the water. Simple precautions like checking the tide times and weather forecast can prevent things going wrong. We want you to stay safe while you’re at the beach. Our helpful tips will help you stay incident-free.

‘We urge people to use beaches where RNLI lifeguards are on duty. If you see someone in danger, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. And if you find yourself in danger, wave your arms and shout for help.’

The RNLI website lists all the beaches where RNLI lifeguards operate and the time they are on patrol. Visit rnli.org/safety for more information.

Ends

Notes to editors:

Attached image is a screen grab from video of the rescue. Credit RNLI/Redcar

Redcar lifeboat station has been operating since 1802

Redcar currently operates a B-class lifeboat named Leicester Challenge III, paid for by the people of Leicester, and an IB1-class lifeboat named Eileen May Loach-Thomas, paid from the legacy of the late Mr Nick Thomas of Shropshire

For more news, information and images go to www.redcarlifeboat.org.uk. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/redcarrnli and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RedcarRNLI

Any images used should be credited RNLI/Redcar unless indicated

RNLI media contacts:

For more information please contact Dave Cocks, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager on 07894 558 483. Alternatively, contact Clare Hopps, RNLI Press Officer, North 07824 518641 or at [email protected], or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789; [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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