RNLI lifeguards rescued a bodyboarder who got caught in a flash rip current off Portrush East Strand on Sunday (6 September) while, further along the coast, their lifesaving colleagues came to the aid of a walker who slipped and fell down loose rocks and became trapped at a cave off Whiterocks.
Senior lifeguard Hannah Anderson and lifeguard Alex Ostropyskyy were on patrol at Portrush East Strand around 4.30pm and were carrying out rescue watercraft (RWC) training in offshore wind conditions when they were radioed by their colleague Cohan Laverty, who was also on patrol, to inform that a bodyboarder was in difficulty.
The casualty had reportedly got caught in a flash rip current and was drifting out to sea off Northern Ireland’s North Coast.
Alice Boyle, the fourth lifeguard on patrol, immediately made her way to the casualty on her rescue board while Hannah and Alex returned to shore for a responder’s bag.
Despite attempts to bring the casualty to safety by rescue board, the wind proved too strong and Hannah on the RWC, made her way out to meet Alice where the casualty was transferred onto the sled and brought safely back to shore.
Back at the beach, a casualty assessment was carried out as a precautionary measure to ensure no water was taken onboard, before the bodyboarder was safely discharged.
Meanwhile, at Whiterocks Beach around 5.30pm, a walker raised the alarm after they slipped and fell on loose rocks at a cave to the right of the beach, injuring their hands and legs.
The casualty became trapped in an area only accessible by water. Portrush RNLI, Coleraine Coastguard and the fire service were requested to respond.
RNLI lifeguards Zak Kincaid and Michael Evans responded on their RWC and made their way into the cave while fellow lifeguard Kioni Little maintained communications with the other emergency responders.
Once on scene, the casualty was safely transferred onto the sled and brought safely back to the beach. The lifeguards were met at the beach by the local coastguard team and casualty care was administered to treat the wounds before the casualty was safely discharged.
Speaking following the incidents, Michael Jess, RNLI lifeguard supervisor said: “This was an eventful afternoon for our lifeguard team both at East Strand and Whiterocks and we would like to commend them for their efforts in ensuring both casualties were brought to safety and we wish both of them well.
“As we approach the end of the lifeguard season and are now into September, we would like to remind anyone planning a visit to the beach that we are on patrol at the weekends only to the end of the month. Should you visit a beach outside of those times, we would encourage you to check the weather and tides in advance and to always read local signage when you arrive.”
