RNLI lifeguard saves a woman’s life in rescue at Bude

On Thursday afternoon, (July 4), RNLI lifeguards were notified by Falmouth Coastguard following a 999 call about a swimmer missing near Duckpool Beach which is a non-lifeguarded beach roughly 1km away from Sandymouth beach in Bude, Cornwall.

RNLI lifeguard, Leon Cherrington-Jones was responding from Sandymouth beach where lifeguards patrol and ran 1.5km along the beach to the water’s edge at Duckpool beach where family members of the swimmer notified Leon about her location.

Leon swam out with a rescue tube and found the swimmer between the rocks and floating on her back, he was then able to retrieve the casualty using the tube and float them past the rocky area before getting her back to shore.

Assisted by a member of the family Leon was then able to get the casualty onto the beach and perform a medical assessment.

They transferred the swimmer up to the car park where they were met by the Bude Coastguard team who performed their own medical assessment and advised the casualty to visit minor injuries as she had swallowed a lot of water.

RNLI lifeguards from Summerleaze had been tasked to attend on the Rescue Water Craft as well as Bude RNLI lifeboat crew but once the casualty had been assessed they were stood down.

RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor, Ross Hambley said:

‘I’d like to commend Leon for his incredible work to act quickly and with great professionalism to rescue a swimmer who had been caught in a dangerous rip current off Duckpool Beach,

‘What was pleasing to hear was the casualty was in the FLOAT to live position, on her back with her legs spread and ears submerged which is vital and no doubt helped the swimmer given the length of time she was in the water.

‘This area is prominent for rip currents and the incident serves as a reminder to people about the dangers of the north Cornwall coastline. It's important, if you are going to the coast, go to a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags. This area is identified as the safest place to swim on the beach and is monitored by the lifeguards who can react quickly if you get into difficulties.’

Notes to editors

• Photo shows RNLI lifeguard Leon Cherrington-Jones the lifeguard who performed the rescue credit/RNLI

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