Casualty thanks RNLI lifeguards at Summerleaze after being saved in mass rescue
Summerleaze RNLI lifeguards were alerted to six body boarders who suddenly got into difficulty at the pinch point between barrel rocks and cross rocks on Sunday (27 September). The flash rip current occurred on a mid-flooding tide and led to a mass rescue of six people.
RNLI lifeguards at Summerleaze beach in Bude, Cornwall were carrying out their daily preventative actions – moving the red and yellow flags and making a PA announcement to the bathers warning them of the flooding tide, when a rip current suddenly occurred to the north side of the beach.
The conditions were getting even more dangerous with a strong northerly wind and 4ft of large plunging waves. Six bathers, who were experienced open water swimmers, were swept off their feet and carried out of their depth into the rough sea conditions.
The bathers were body boarding at the time and therefore had a floatation device to help them. They started to kick their legs in an attempt to escape the rip current, but it was just too strong. The bathers waved for help and RNLI lifeguards Jack Davies and Dean Henwood were quick to respond on rescue boards. As they approached the casualties, they gave clear instruction and reassurance to calm the casualties down.
Alex Davis, one of the casualties commented;
‘I really cannot comprehend how quickly the situation changed, and how we found ourselves in such danger. Throughout the whole event, RNLI lifeguards Jack and Dean remained calm, reassured us and did whatever they could to get us back to safety – this was all regardless of their own bumps and scraps that they were getting from the rocks!
‘I can honestly say that I have never been so scared, or so sincerely grateful. Regardless of this being their job, Jack and Dean are two completely selfless people – they are an absolute credit to the RNLI and I will never forget what they did for us.
Three other RNLI lifeguards (Ella Henwood, Ben Jarvis and Tremaine Fry) were also involved with the communications and made sure the casualties were debriefed after the incident. At neighbouring Crooklets beach, Tremaine Fry, along with Bude Surf Lifesaving Club, ran over to support and Tremaine made the decision to launch the rescue water craft (RWC) to help assist the other casualties back to shore, whilst Jack and Dean were on rescue boards.
RNLI lifeguard supervisor, Ross Hambley says;
‘The lifeguards did an amazing job and their teamwork and communication really helped to reassure the casualties. With a rough sea state, strong northerly winds and 4ft surf on a flooding tide, flash rip currents can occur without warning and wield vast amounts of water.
‘If you find yourself caught in a rip current, please remember to remain calm, hold on to your floatation device if you have one, float and do not panic – always raise your hand and shout for help.’
Notes to Editors
- Please find attached an image of Dean Henwood at Summerleaze beach this summer, credit to Ella Henwood
- Summerleaze has lifeguard patrols every day throughout October, with their last day on Sunday 1 November
- Please follow the link to see which beaches are currently lifeguarded in Cornwall and Devon: https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2020/september/24/rnli-lifeguard-patrols-extended-on-some-beaches-across-devon-and-cornwall
- To support the RNLI’s lifesavers, please visit: www.rnli.org/donate
For more information please contact Becky Bright, Media Engagement Placement on [email protected] or Marianne Quinn on [email protected] or 07786668847, 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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