RNLI Seaburn and Roker lifeguards rescue two teenagers

At around 2:30pm, Senior Lifeguard Lily Humphries was alerted by a member of the public who came to the lifeguard unit to report three girls screaming in the water just outside of the red and yellow flags. Lily immediately attended the scene and found one of the girls who had managed to wade out of the water with the assistance of a beachgoer.

RNLI Seaburn lifeguards David Buckley and David Batty entered the water with a rescue tube and rescue board. The charity’s lifeguards returned one of the teenage girls to shore safely. However, because of the strong rip current, the Seaburn team radioed RNLI Roker lifeguards for assistance.

Andy Brown and Joe Whelan of the RNLI Roker team arrived quickly on the jet ski, where they brought the remaining teenager back to shore safely. The two lifeguard teams assisted by the UK Coastguard escorted the three girls back to the Seaburn lifeguard unit, where they received medical care.

Lily contacted the three girls’ parents to inform them of the situation and offer some comfort. Although none of the girls sustained any injuries, an ambulance was called for cold water shock.

Lead Lifeguard Supervisor Sean Mills praised the girls for following the RNLI’s Float to Live advice:

‘When we rescued the girls, they were all floating in the rip current. One said she remembered someone visiting her school and telling her to Float to Live. This knowledge saved her life. The girls’ parents should all be proud of them for following our advice.

'However, we do advise beachgoers to swim between the red and yellow flags when visiting one of our lifeguarded beaches. That way our lifeguard team can immediately be of assistance if you find yourself in trouble.'

If you find yourself stuck in a rip current, follow the RNLI's Float to Live advice:

· Fight your instinct the thrash around

· Lean back, extend your arms and legs

· If you need to gently move them around to help you float

· Float until you can control your breathing

· Only then call for help or swim to safety

For more information please visit: https://rnli.org/safety/know-the-risks/rip-currents

Notes to editors

RNLI Seaburn lifeguard service has been operating since 2001. To learn more about the lifeguarded beach go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches/seaburn-beach

Lead Lifeguard Supervisor Sean Mills is available for interview.

Photo Credit

RNLI/Derry Salter

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Derry Salter, RNLI Media Engagement Placement on: 07929 673281 or email: [email protected]

Or, the RNLI Press Office available 24/7 on 01202 336789 [email protected]

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.