Back-to-back mass rescues for RNLI lifeguards in County Down

At 1:30pm RNLI lifeguards, Adam Mahon and Evan McConville were patrolling the beach and about to begin training on their rescue boards when a concerned parent approached them. Five children who were 300 metres out at sea, three of which were on a kayak and two were paddleboarding, were beginning to struggle against the current.

Immediately, Adam and Evan launched into action and paddled out to the children.

Once the lifeguards reached them, they transferred the children that were on the paddleboards onto the rescue boards while assisted the children in the kayak along with them towards the beach.

Although exhausted, the children were in good spirits, and no medical attention was needed.

A few minutes later, RNLI lifeguard Catríona Sneedon who was in the lifeguard hut spotted another kayak and three paddleboarders out at sea, who were getting dangerously close to the shipping lane. Catriona sent an alert out over the speaker to gain their attention. Immediately Adam and Evan began paddling out while Catríona called the Coastguard.

Luckily, Adam and Evan were able to gather the attention of the five and assisted them all back to shore safely.

These incidents come as the lifeguards are now on the beaches full time until 31 August. Speaking following the incidents, RNLI Lifeguard, Evan McConville said: ‘It was a busy day at Cranfield beach with back-to-back rescues. These two incidents show the importance of visiting a lifeguarded beach. If you find yourself in difficulty or see someone else in trouble either on the beach or in and around the water, raise your hand and call for help, or call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.’

Find your nearest beach: Find Your Nearest RNLI Lifeguarded Beaches

Ends

RNLI media contacts

For information, please contact Treasa Ní Bhraonáin RNLI Communications Placement Tel: 085 1500 564 email: [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager Tel: 087 648 3547 email: [email protected]

Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead Tel: 087 1254 124 email: [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok 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.