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Clare HoppsPress Officer, North
Lifeguards News Release
Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeguards came to the aid of a group of people who had got cut off by the tide on Tuesday (24 July) at West Scar on Redcar Beach.
The incident happened just after 3.30pm, when around 14 people became stranded on the outcrop of rocks at West Scar after walking across two pipes that jut out into the sea.The group was made up of separate parties and contained a mixture of teenage boys and girls and also a father and his two children.The charity’s lifeguards spotted the group’s plight and went to assist.RNLI lifeguard Joss Wescombe rescued people in stages, leading them back along the pipes to the safety of the beach using a rescue tube (a long yellow flexible tube that people can grab onto).Joss managed to keep the group calm, even though the water was up to waist height in places.The parties were then medically assessed and given the all-clear by fellow lifeguard Ben Wordsworth.A similar incident occurred on Wednesday (25 July) just after 4pm, when two girls also had to be rescued from the outcrop of rocks.RNLI lifeguard, Ben Wordsworth said: ‘After low tide the area of rocks at West Scar cuts of quite quickly and people can be caught out by the speed of the incoming water.‘To ensure a safe and enjoyable visit to the beach we would always advise people to ask lifeguards about tide times and any potential hazards.’Picture CaptionThe photograph shows RNLI lifeguard Ben Wordsworth near one of the pipes at West Scar.RNLI media contacts For more information, please contact Clare Hopps, RNLI Press Officer, North, on 01642 750585 or 07824 518641 or at clare_hopps@rnli.org.uk
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland from 236 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 180 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.
The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0845 122 6999 or by email.
The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland
Our lifeboat crews launch 24 times a day on average. Find out which station has launched near you around the UK and Republic of Ireland. View shouts.
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