Off-duty surf lifesaver comes to aid of father and son

An off-duty surf lifesaver rushed to the aid of a father and son caught in a rip current on a Cornwall beach today (21 January).

The man had to be airlifted to hospital with suspected hypothermia following the ordeal while his 10 year-old son, who was wearing a wetsuit, was assessed by paramedics and no further medical attention was needed. The lifesaver was also assessed and did not need further treatment.

The boy was body boarding at Holywell Bay Beach today (21 January) when he became caught in a rip current and needed help. His father immediately went in to rescue him but was also caught in the current and quickly got into difficulty as well.




Fortunately, an off-duty surf lifesaver was on hand and able to use her knowledge of rough surf to help the duo back to shore.

With the UK in the midst of a cold spell, the air and water temperature were hovering around just 10C and the man, who was not wearing a wetsuit, developed suspected hypothermia and needed onward medical care.

It is an incident which reveals the hidden dangers of a rip current, which can rapidly carry you away from shore and a place of safety.

It is vital that you do not fight a rip current if you find yourself in one but try to swim parallel to shore until you escape its grasp. Try to raise the alarm but waving your arms in the air and stay calm. Rip currents are very hard to spot and even expert swimmers can quickly get into trouble. At this time of year, with the water so cold, we also advise that anyone entering the water wear a wetsuit. As ever, advice if you’re struggling is to Float to Live by lying on your back, relaxing and stretching your arms and legs like a starfish.

Rip currents are almost impossible to spot, from shore or the sea. They can be scary in how quickly and powerfully they carry you away


A member of the public saw people in difficulty and called 999 asking for the Coastguard. Newquay and St Agnes Coastguard Rescue Teams were sent, alongside the Coastguard helicopter from Newquay and the Southwestern Ambulance Service, with teams arriving soon after everyone was brought back to shore.

The father was then airlifted to hospital for onward care.

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