Adrift boys rescued by onlookers
Published: August 29, 2006
Rescuers have issued a warning to users of inflatable dinghies, after two children got into difficulties off the Northumberland coast.
The boys, aged 11 and 13, were on holiday at a caravan park at Low Hauxley, near Amble on Sunday.
They were playing on the inflatable dinghy, when they were caught by strong offshore winds.
Onlookers launched a rescue operation after one of the boys tried to swim to shore. Both suffered hypothermia.
Both RNLI Lifeboats at Amble were also launched to assist at the request of the Humber Coastguard.
Happy ending
Lifeboat coxswain John Connell said: “One boy entered the water and tried to swim ashore, but succeeded in getting into further difficulties in the cold water.
“An onlooker entered the water and swam out to him and pulled him to shore.
“In the mean time a locally owned rigid inflatable reached the other boy and towed him to shore, reaching the beach the same time as Amble inshore lifeboat arrived on scene.”
Both boys were treated for hypothermia by the lifeboat crew, before being taken to Wansbeck General Hospital. They were later released.
Mr Connell added: “Every year around the coast people get into difficulties with these toys and not every incident has a happy ending like this.
“We would urge bathers to have greater awareness of the dangers of using these dangerous toys at sea.”
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