Two young girls who could not swim were rescued by RNLI lifeguards after being swept approximately 300 metres out to sea on an inflatable at Formby beach on Sunday, July 12. The incident occurred around 2:20pm when strong offshore winds carried the inflatable away from the shore.
Lifeguards Spot the Girls in Distress
Formby RNLI lifeguard Grace Jones was patrolling at the water's edge alongside seasonal lifeguard supervisor Jonathon Kitching. They spotted the two girls being swept out by strong offshore winds. Another RNLI beach lifeguard, Violet Costello, also entered the water to assist.
According to an RNLI spokesman, the two children, who could not swim, panicked and abandoned the inflatable, leaving them in the water. Grace quickly ran in with a rescue board to reach the children, who were approximately 300 metres out to sea. When she reached them, they were being helped by a relative who was struggling to bring them to shore.
Successful Rescue Operation
Grace assisted both children onto her rescue board and paddled them back to shore. The children's relative, a confident swimmer, returned to shore independently. RNLI lifeguard Violet Costello also entered the water to assist as they reached the shallows. Back on shore, Violet and Grace checked the two casualties and returned to normal operations.
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, 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."
Warnings About Offshore Winds and Inflatables
Seasonal lifeguard supervisor Jonathon Kitching added: "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."
Safety Advice: Float to Live
The RNLI advises anyone who finds themselves in trouble in the water to follow the Float to Live guidance: tilt your head back with your ears submerged, relax and try to breathe normally, move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat, and 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.
