Lifeboats and helicopter called to beach swimming incident

At 3.38pm on Thursday, August 20 a lifeboat crew at Seahouses responded to 999 calls, which reported several swimmers calling out for help in the water off Bamburgh Beach. The Seahouses inshore lifeboat was requested and then quickly launched.

One male swimmer had already managed to reach the shore, while the remaining two swimmers had managed to get back towards the shore and were wading through breaking surf.

Two members of the crew went into the water in order to help the two casualties to get ashore more safely, while the inshore lifeboat landed back on the beach.

Local Coastguard teams from Seahouses, Berwick and Howick were also at the scene.

The teams assessed the casualties and were concerned for the condition of the female, who was given oxygen at the scene. An ambulance was called for.

After being assessed by the paramedics, a friend of the casualty and an off duty nurse agreed to take her to hospital as a precaution. The inshore lifeboat then returned to its station.

A Coastguard rescue helicopter from Prestwick in Scotland had also been called out, but it was stood down once the casualties were safely back on shore.

The casualty was up in the North East on holiday from the Canterbury area of Kent.

The operations manager of the Seahouses Lifeboat Station, Ian Clayton, said: “We are increasingly concerned by the number of similar incidents, probably enhanced by staycations.

"The North Sea can be a dangerous place for the unwary and we urge everyone to keep close to shore when swimming in the sea.

“Further out there are strong currents sweeping along the shore, and the cold water temperature can catch people out.

“If you are in trouble, lie on your back, limbs outstretched and float. Wave your arms and call for help. Anyone seeing someone who may be in trouble, should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard as quickly as possible.”

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