Littlestone RNLI lifeboat tasked to four teenagers trapped on a rocky groyne

The crew were called to four teenagers, two male and two female that had got caught out by a rising tide on a rock groyne just off lower Leas, half a mile west of the Folkestone Harbour Arm. Weather - Overcast, Slight. Wind – SSW force 3.

After locating the casualties it was clear that the route the teenagers had taken to get out onto the rocks had now been submerged by the tide. Taking the lifeboat in as close a possible, the crew helped the casualties aboard the lifeboat two at a time to return them to safety ashore.

Littlestone Lifeboat Helm Simon Matthews said: 'You have to expect the unexpected as lifeboat crew, one minute you’re flying past crowds of cheering onlookers displaying the boat and the next you are saving the lives of youngsters from the dangers of rocky groynes'.

The boat returned to the station and was made ready for service by 3.30pm.

To avoid getting cut off by the tide:

Before you head out, make sure it’s safe. Check the tide tables.

While you’re out, be aware of your surroundings and the tide’s direction.

A beach can seem like a vast playground but the tide can come in surprisingly quickly.

As the tide moves up and down the beach, the depth of the water changes throughout the day, sometimes by as much as 10 metres.

As the tide comes in, simply walking further up the beach and away to safety might not be an option.

If you've walked round to another cove at low tide, or walked around an outcrop of rocks, the water can soon block your way back as the tide turns. If the cove you're in doesn't have steps or access of its own, you could be in trouble.

RNLI Media contacts

· Gavin Munnings, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Littlestone Lifeboat Station on 07568 719991 or [email protected]

· Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East), 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 paul[email protected]

· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

RNLI online:For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.

Key facts about the RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 237 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 180 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI websiteor Facebook, Twitterand 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 or by email.

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.