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Lyme Regis RNLI crew rescue two boys being swept out to sea

Lifeboats News Release

Two 14 year old boys being swept out to sea were rescued last night by the volunteer crew of Lyme Regis RNLI.

Archie Woollacott jumped off the harbour wall on the River Axe and began to be swept towards the sea. His friend, Bozhidrar Bobev - Bo - jumped in to help, but both were taken by the current some 200 metres from the river mouth.

Lyme Regis lifeboat, the Spirit of Loch Fyne, was launched at 6.20pm and was guided towards the boys by Beer coastguards.Both boys, suffering from the effects of cold water, were taken aboard the lifeboat before being winched up to the coastguard helicopter. They were then taken ashore and to hospital in Exeter for check ups. Both are now back home, Archie in Fishponds, Dorset and Bo in Seaton.

Lifeboat helm Murray Saunders said: 'The Beer coastguards were a tremendous help in getting us on scene so quickly. The boys would have been in serious trouble if there had been a delay in finding them'.

Archie said today :'Bo is a really good guy for helping me. I was freezing, and my mum has now told me I can't go out for ten years ! I was really pleased to see the lifeboat crew'.

Archie's mother Mrs Emily Legg said: 'We are so grateful to the lifeboat crew and, of course to Bo, who will be on our Christmas list for ever'.

Bo's mother, Daniela Georgieva said: 'Bo was very tired after his ordeal but he is very well now. I am very grateful for the professional way in which they were rescued'.

With warm weather predicted for the next few days the RNLI is warning that sea temperatures are still between 10-14C which is low enough to cause cold water shock. If you get into trouble in cold water, fight the instinct to panic and float on your back until you get breathing under control. For more information go to: www.respectthewater.com

Media Contacts:

Lyme Regis volunteer lifeboat press officer, Richard Horobin (07974) 268504.

Regional Media Officer Paul Dunt (07785) 296252 [email protected]


The two boys are taken aboard the lifeboat.

RNLI/Richard Horobin

The two boys are taken aboard the Lyme Regis lifeboat
One of the boys being winched to the coastguard helicopter.

RNLI/Richard Horobin

One of the boys being winched to the coastguard helicopter.

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, Twitter 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.

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