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Lowestoft RNLI Lifeguards save nine people in one day ahead of the summer season

Lifeguards News Release

Lowestoft Lifeguards rescued five adults and four children at the beginning of the school holidays. The nine lives were saved in four separate incidences.

Lifeguard to the left of the red and yellow flag looking out to sea

RNLI/ David Edwards

When in the water swim in-between the red and yellow flags

The RNLI is urging people visiting the east coast this week to respect the water and visit a lifeguarded beach as the summer season begins.

At Lowestoft Beach on Friday 19th July, the water conditions were calm with a low tide but a strong current. All rescues happened between the hours of 1pm and 4pm in low tide conditions. The first rescue of the day was for a kayaker who paddled out to sea but got taken by the tide and couldn’t get back.

The second incident was due to a sandbank which had formed 200 metres out to sea. Five people paddled out aiming to reach the exposed sand, but got swept out by a strong tide. The third rescue was a bodyboarder who had aimed to reach the sandbank.

The fourth and final incident of the day involved two children who swam just out of their depth and were swept by the strong current underneath the pier. Lifeguards rescued the children at the end of the pier and took them back to safety, where they were given oxygen until the Coastguard and Ambulance arrived.

The five lifeguards on duty that day were Luke Barton, Oliver Owen, Sophie Lomas and brothers Sam and Josh Stephens. They all put their lifeguard training to action using the rescue boards and rescue tubes to bring the nine causalities to safety.

RNLI Senior Lifeguard, Luke Barton said: ‘It was a really busy day for us at Lowestoft Beach with our lifeguards really being tested. In total we rescued nine people, most of whom were paddleboarders trying to reach the sandbank off Lowestoft Beach. With a fast-moving tide and with the strong wind they all struggled to get back to the beach and wouldn’t have made it without the help from our lifeguards.

‘We also faced a rescue of two young children at the end of Lowestoft Pier, once again because of strong tides and currents, both casualties required casualty care.

‘We always recommend people swim in between the red and yellow flags, come talk to your lifeguards about the conditions and tides of the day. It is vital paddleboarders wear a lifejacket and take a means of communication in case help is needed.

‘Finally we couldn’t be more proud of the team on Lowestoft Beach that day, we faced it head-on and had successful outcomes for all of our incidents that day.’

If you find yourself in trouble in the water, remember to Float to Live:

  • Tilt your head back with your ears submerged
  • Try to relax
  • Control your breathing
  • Use your hands to help you stay afloat
  • Once calm, then try call for help or swim to safety if you can.

This week the RNLI marked World Drowning Prevention Day and released figures showing that the charity's lifeguards in the East of England launched 810 times, aiding 871 people and saving five lives.

In East Suffolk the following beaches are currently being patrolled every day from 10am-6pm: Southwold North, Southwold South, Lowestoft North and Lowestoft South.

In a coastal emergency, call 999 or 112 for the Coastguard.

For beach safety information and tips, please visit: https://rnli.org/safety/beach-safety

Notes to editors

· Here is a link to a video demonstrating the Float to Live technique: https://source.rnli.org.uk/share/8D368494-1288-427B-9579B05FD5568D3F/?viewType=grid

· Since 2001, RNLI lifeguards have saved 1,681 lives, aided 320,087 people through water rescue, returning lost children and delivering first aid and casualty care. They have responded to 251,436 incidents and carried out 32M preventative actions.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Lauren Wright, RNLI North and East Media Engagement - Placement on 07890 402106 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 142,700 lives.

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, Twitter 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.