Rescue for Formby RNLI lifeguards during hot and busy weekend

On Sunday 12 July, at 2.20pm, Formby RNLI lifeguard Grace Jones was patrolling at water’s edge alongside Seasonal Lifeguard Supervisor Jonathon Kitching who came to assist lifeguards with Formby’s busy beach numbers. Grace and Jonathon spotted two young girls on an inflatable, being swept out by strong offshore winds.

In a panic, one of the young children who couldn’t swim abandoned the inflatable and was now in the water. RNLI beach lifeguard Violet Costello who was at water’s edge ran in with a rescue board to assist the child that were in the water.

Grace alerted the other lifeguards on the beach to the casualties, quickly running into the water with a rescue board to help the casualties who were now 300m out to sea.

When Grace reached the children, they were being held afloat by a relative who was struggling to get them to shore. Grace brought both fatigued casualties back to shore on the rescue board safely. After the rescue, Grace said:

‘We were really glad to spot the girls with enough time to bring them safely back to shore.

‘With the weather still being hot, l, beach numbers have risen a great deal with lots of visitors coming to the coast.

‘If you are planning on going to the beach, always visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags. This is the area of the beach that our lifeguards are actively patrolling and can respond if you do get into difficulty.’

Seasonal Lifeguard Supervisor Jonathon Kitching, who was present during the rescue said:

‘It was a really successful rescue due to the quick action and response from the team. Both Grace and Violet were excellent and performed a great rescue, returning both casualties safely back to shore.

‘Offshore winds can blow you out to sea. During these conditions we fly our orange windsock that advises against the use of inflatables such as stand-up paddleboards as they can very easily be swept away from the shore into deeper waters and away from the safety of the beach.’

'If you’re not sure about whether it’s safe to paddleboard on the day of your visit, ask a lifeguard or seek local advice.’

If you find yourself in trouble in the water, the RNLI’s safety advice is Float to Live:

• Tilt your head back with your ears submerged
• Relax and try to breathe normally
• Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat
• It’s OK if your legs sink, we all float differently
• Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety.

If you see anyone in difficulty in the water, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

To find your nearest lifeguarded beach visit: www.rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches

RNLI Media Contacts

For more information please contact Betsy Owen, Regional Communications Placement on [email protected] or 07483 485378.

Alternatively you can contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected] or 07977 728315, or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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.

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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.