
RNLI lifeguards save two lives at Whitsand Bay
On Sunday 9 June, RNLI lifeguards at Sharrow beach in Whitsand Bay in Cornwall jumped into action to save the lives of two swimmers who had got into difficulty in deep water near Sharrow Point.
At 4:10pm Senior RNLI lifeguard, Mark Oliver spotted two members of the public in difficulty swimming near Sharrow Point and immediately radioed his colleagues at the waters edge to go and assist them.
RNLI lifeguard Ben Floyd ran to the nearest rescue board and paddled out quickly to assist the casualties.
On arrival to the scene another swimmer was assisting the younger of the casualties, a 14-year-old boy and had dragged him to an area he could stand and make his own way back to shore. Floyd pulled the 28-year-old casualty on to his rescue board and paddled him back to the safely of the shore.
Once on the beach lifeguards administered casualty care to both swimmers who were feeling nauseous and coughing up lots of water.
At 16:30pm after lifeguards had performed all their checks the casualties were advised to attend the nearest hospital for further checks.
RNLI Lead lifeguard Supervisor for the East Cornwall area, Charlie Gillet said:
‘Our lifeguards responded quickly and performed exceptionally well to rescue two casualties who were non swimmers and had been caught out in a deeper area of water near Sharrow Point.
‘Lifeguards had warned the public throughout the day that the area was unsafe and there were plenty of signs reminding people as they headed to the water’s edge that this was an area not to be swam in.
‘The incident is a big reminder to people that if you are going to the coast to follow the RNLI’s advice, head to a lifeguarded beach and if you are going to swim make sure that you do so between the red and yellow flags.’
Notes to editors
· Photo shows Ben Floyd, the lifeguard who performed the rescue.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Archie Connolly, Media Engagement – Placement-South West on 07977 468283 or [email protected],uk or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
RNLI online
For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.
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.
RNLI at 200
On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.
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.