RNLI teams responded to a man in difficulties in the sea at Redcar

The incident began at around 5.15pm. The man was seen in the sea at high tide, close to the RNLI lifeguards hut next to the Redcar Beacon. The two lifeguards on duty responded, and the town’s lifeboat crew was tasked to assist.

The lifeguards managed to get the man from the water and onto the esplanade as the lifeboat crew was assembling. The man had a medical episode and was becoming unresponsive at times so an ambulance was called.

A spokesperson from Redcar RNLI said: ‘It is reported that alcohol may have been involved. The RNLI’s message is always “don’t drink and drown”.

'Fortunately he was on the stretch of beach protected by our lifeguards. Otherwise this could have had a much more serious outcome.’

The RNLI reports that around one in eight coastal deaths in the UK involve alcohol, and it is a contributing factor in many more water-related incidents. It is known that alcohol can seriously impair a person’s judgement, reactions and ability to swim.

Two other men were also seen in the sea at about the same time. They were given blankets by the RNLI but did not require medical attention.

For sensible advice on how to enjoy our coast, go to https://rnli.org/safety

The incident occurred on the eve of World Drowning Prevention day on 25 July 2021. For more information go to https://rnli.org/what-we-do/international/world-drowning-prevention-day

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Attached is an image of the rescue scene. Credit RNLI/Dave Cocks. Also attached is an image from the RNLI’s Respect The Water campaign. Credit RNLI.

Redcar lifeboat station has been operating since 1802

Redcar currently operates a B-class lifeboat named Leicester Challenge III, paid for by the people of Leicester, and an IB1-class lifeboat named Eileen May Loach-Thomas, paid from the legacy of the late Mr Nick Thomas of Shropshire

For more news, information and images go to www.redcarlifeboat.org.uk. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/redcarrnli and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RedcarRNLI

Any images used should be credited RNLI/Redcar unless indicated

RNLI media contacts:

For more information please contact Dave Cocks, RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on 07894 558 483. Alternatively, contact Clare Hopps, RNLI Press Officer, North 07824 518641 or at [email protected], or contact RNLI Public Relations 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.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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