Family rescued from toy dinghy

Published: June 12, 2008 | 7132nd good news item since 2003

A WOMAN and three children were rescued yesterday after they were blown out to sea in a toy dinghy.
Clyde coastguard said the family did not have a paddle and were not wearing lifejackets when they were caught out by a strong offshore wind.

The woman and children were rescued after a member of the public spotted them floating out to sea and called 999.

Peter Stewart, the Clyde Coastguard watch manager, said: “A potential disaster was averted today. These people were ill-prepared for taking to sea, with no lifejackets and no paddles and wearing beachwear.

“Once the offshore wind picked them up, they had absolutely no control over their fate and, as the beach disappeared into the distance, their only hope could be that someone would notice and make the right decision to call 999 and ask for the coastguard.

“Inflatable toys and boats are far more suitable for swimming pools and the like.”

Published in Rescues
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