A 16-year-old boy used his own boat to rescue two men who fell into the water from an inflatable toy boat in Broadford Bay, Skye, on Saturday evening. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) praised the teenager's quick thinking, stating that his actions averted a far more serious situation.
Rescue Details
The Coastguard received reports of two men in difficulty at around 9pm on Saturday. The teenager, who was nearby, saw the men struggling after falling from a blow-up inflatable boat. He immediately launched his own boat, reached the casualties, and brought them safely back to shore.
The Kyle of Lochalsh RNLI lifeboat was also dispatched to the scene, but by the time they arrived, the men had already been rescued. They were reported to be safe and well.
RNLI Warning
Andrew MacDonald, helm at Kyle RNLI, said: 'Thanks to the quick thinking of the teenager going out in his own boat to rescue the two casualties, a far more serious situation was averted.' He added: 'We’d like to remind people that blow-up inflatable toys should be kept for use in swimming pools and not open water, and to always ensure that you have lifejackets on and a means of communicating to the emergency services if you get into any difficulty.'
Safety Reminder
The incident highlights the dangers of using inflatable toys in open water, especially without lifejackets or communication devices. The RNLI urges the public to follow safety guidelines to prevent similar emergencies.
