RNLI lifeguard rescues girl at St Davids beach (From Western Telegraph)

RNLI lifeguard rescues girl at St Davids beach

12:00pm Thursday 23rd July 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

RNLI lifeguard, Paul Wright, saved the life of a 12-year-old girl after she got caught in a strong undertow current on Whitesands beach yesterday (Wednesday).

The holiday maker from West Sussex was swimming around 25 metres from the shore, between the red and yellow flags, when she became caught in an under-tow caused by a series of large waves.

After spotting the girl being dragged out of her depth and underneath the surface of the sea, senior lifeguard Paul, paddled through the large waves on his rescue board and pulled the girl from under the water.

Paul then brought her to shore, where she was treated for shock.

'I first noticed the girl when I heard her screaming," he said.

"I realised straight away that she was in severe difficulty and constantly going under water. She was out of her depth and was beginning to panic.

"When I reached her, she was disappearing under the water fighting for breath. She was very shaken.

'This incident happened in the bathing area between the red and yellow flags, so luckily she was much more visible to the lifeguards. We recommend anyone to swim at a lifeguarded beach between the red and yellow flags.'

Whitesands is one of 12 beaches currently being patrolled by RNLI lifeguards. Last year in Pembrokeshire alone, they were involved in 509 incidents and assisted more than 561 people.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)