Family thank Tenby RNLI for giving daughter the gift of life this Christmas
A Welsh family have been reunited with Tenby RNLI volunteers who saved their daughter after she was swept a mile out to sea whilst paddleboarding.
On Thursday 5 December, David, Kiki and Lilly Evans visited Tenby Lifeboat Station to bring festive cheer and thank the volunteers who saved Lilly’s life earlier this year.
It was a summer’s day, Saturday 30 July 2024, when the Evans family headed to Pendine Beach to enjoy the evening. 14-year-old Lilly was paddleboarding in the shallows when the wind picked up and began to blow her out to sea.
Her parents noticed immediately. In a state of panic, Lily’s dad David entered the water to try to reach his daughter whilst her mum Kiki called 999 and asked for the Coastguard. Lilly was swiftly being blown further out to sea, David tried to swim after her but was unable to reach her.
David said:
‘I was shouting out to her to come back in and she was screaming that she couldn’t. I was in pure panic when I realised I couldn’t get to her. I looked back at my wife, who was on her knees screaming.’
HM Coastguard tasked Tenby RNLI lifeboat to the scene. The volunteer crew launched the All-Weather lifeboat and made their way to Pendine. On arrival, they located Lilly a mile offshore.
Lilly was helped onboard the lifeboat and checked over before the crew safely returned her to her family who were waiting on the beach.
Kiki, Lilly’s mother said:
‘When the lifeboat arrived, we couldn’t even see Lilly as she had been blown so far out to sea.
‘It was the longest wait of my life, not knowing if Lilly was alive. Somehow, she managed to stay on the paddleboard, I think a few people were looking down on her that day.
‘Hearing that the lifeboat crew had her and that she was safe, it was an indescribable feeling.
‘Lilly says she couldn’t have held on much longer. We’re so grateful for the opportunity to be reunited with the crew. We can’t thank the RNLI enough for saving Lilly’s life.’
Dan Thomas RNLI Deputy Coxswain at Tenby RNLI said:
‘It was an absolute pleasure to be reunited with Lilly and her family. They’re gratitude is well received by us all.
‘We’re all so pleased to see the Evans family before Christmas. At this time of year, it means so much to see the impact our lifesaving work has on families like the Evans.
‘If you spot someone in difficulty in the water, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard, just as Lilly’s mother did. That quick action can be the lifesaving difference.
‘Without that 999 phone call and our crew launching the lifeboat on the 30 July, the outcome could have been very different. Thank you to everyone who supports and donates to our lifesaving charity. We can’t save lives without you.’
David will be running both the Newport and London Marathons to raise funds for the RNLI. His Gofundme page has already received more than £2000 in donations, it can be found at: https://gofund.me/27de8c2c
RNLI volunteer crews are ready to leave their family plans this Christmas and answer the call for help – even on Christmas Day. To make a donation to the RNLI’s Christmas Appeal visit: RNLI.org/WinterAppeal
Notes to editors:
· Images and interviews from the Evans family and Tenby RNLI Lifeboat crew can be found at: https://source.rnli.org.uk/share/F430D3B5-120F-461D-9EC176028920A19E/
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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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