Lowestoft RNLI lifeguards rescue teenage girl swept under pier by strong current
Last Monday afternoon (23 July) RNLI lifeguards rushed into the water when a teenage girl was swept underneath the Claremont Pier on Lowestoft Beach in a lateral current.
At around 4pm, friends of the girl raised the alarm and a member of the public managed to hold the casualty against the pier leg to keep her steady in the water. The girls had got into difficulty in the sea and two of the teenagers were able to swim back to shore, but the third was dragged underneath the pier.
One of the charity’s lifeguards, Todd Davidson had spotted the girl under the pier around 40m offshore as the girls shouted for help.
Todd immediately ran down and paddled out to secure the casualty onto his rescue board and bring her safely back to shore.
Lifeguards Nicko Moore and Alice Watson-Flowers met Todd and the girl on the shoreline to assist and carry out first aid.
All three teenagers were treated for shock and thankfully the rescued girl had no serious injuries.
RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor, Liam Fayle-Parr said: ‘We can’t stress enough the importance of swimming between the red and yellow flags, these mark out our safe swim area and we’ll be watching everyone between them very closely. This could be the best summer we’ve all had for years, but only if we enjoy it safely.
‘The lifeguards showed great teamwork, with Todd carrying out the rescue and Nicko and Alice ready to carry out immediate casualty care.’
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For more information please contact Megan McBride, RNLI Media Engagement Placement North East and East, on 07391544363 or at: [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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