RNLI lifeguards save two boys being swept out to sea in Teignmouth

The incident happened shortly after 4pm when senior RNLI lifeguard, Tamar Hosking, was patrolling The Point area of Teignmouth beach, which opens out onto the mouth of the river. Tamar noticed two boys being suddenly swept around The Point into the deep and fast flowing water of the shipping channel so responded immediately on her rescue board.

The boys had realised they were getting dragged out by the strong current and started to panic, with one of the boys having difficulty keeping his head above the choppy water.

After alerting her colleagues at the lifeguard facility to launch the RWC (rescue water craft) Tamar paddled after them, getting one boy on to her board while supporting the other alongside. By this point the strong current had dragged them over 300 metres out to sea, well beyond The Ness, the headland on the opposite side of the river mouth.

RNLI lifeguard, Luke Adey, responded on the RWC, ferrying the two casualties back to shore individually and assessing them for medical treatment, which was not required. Luke also gave safety advice about delayed onset drowning (secondary drowning) and the safe area to swim on Teignmouth beach.

Henry Irvine, RNLI Lead Lifeguard supervisor says:

‘Tamar’s quick actions undoubtably saved these boy’s lives. They are very lucky.

‘This is the second incident in as many days where bathers have entered the water near to The Point and found themselves being carried out to sea by the exceptionally strong current.

‘If you are seeking to swim, kayak or paddleboard at Teignmouth then please avoid The Point and Back Beach due to the rip currents, boats and underwater hazards. The safest place to swim is always between the red and yellow flags where there is continuous lifeguard observation between 10am and 6pm.’

Notes to Editors

· Please find attached a photo of RNLI lifeguard’s Tamar Hosking and Luke Adey on Teignmouth beach.

· Follow the link to see which beaches are currently lifeguarded https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/beaches-with-lifeguards-on-patrol

· To support the RNLI’s lifesavers, go to: www.rnli.org/donate

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For more information please contact Marianne Quinn, Regional Media Officer, on [email protected] or 07786668847, or Amy Caldwell, Regional Media Manager on [email protected] or 07920818807, or RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or via [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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