Children saved in sea rescue
Published: May 15, 2008
FOUR people have been praised after they saved two children from drowning.
Two unnamed men dived into Haverigg Lagoon to help a 12-year-old girl and 13-year-old boy.
The children, from Millom, got into difficulties swimming 100 metres off the coast.
Two police officers, PC Rachel Brown and PC Ben Strain, swam out to help in the rescue, which unfolded at 6pm on Sunday.
The actions of the officers have been commended by Cumbria Constabulary.
Sergeant Rachel Jones said: “This was a near tragedy, which was only averted by the presence of mind of witnesses and the bravery of the local people and police officers who swam to the aid of the children.
“I am delighted there is a happy ending to this situation, but it should act as a warning to parents to remain vigilant as the warm weather sets in, and to remind children of the dangers associated with playing in water.”
Two members of Millom coastguard also attended.
John Whitford, station officer at Millom Inshore Rescue, said: “If it wasn’t for the actions of the people on the scene it could have been a lot worse. The police officers were exceptional.
“We were alerted to the scene and were there within five minutes, the police were already on the scene. We were just concentrating on keeping the children calm and keeping them warm. We used a special blanket and talked to them until the ambulance arrived, we had the girl on oxygen at one point and treated them both for shock.
“Some of the guys with boats on the lagoon offered to come and help but the children were out of the water when we arrived.
The children were taken to Furness General Hospital as a precaution.
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