Holiday injury news
10/07/2008

Holiday accident claim averted by Welsh lifeguards

Brave Pembrokeshire lifeguards in their first days of acting on the Welsh coast have narrowly averted a potential holiday accident claim by rescuing three kayakers struggling in the sea.

A teenage lifeguard spotted the three holiday vessels fighting strong winds and rough seas from Newport beach on Saturday and, after alerting the senior lifeguard, took to the water immediately. Swimming against the waves, he reached the boats just in time.

Two kayaks had capsized, leaving the small girls who had been paddling them in the water, and the third kayak's occupants were desperately trying to reach them. The lifeguard helped the youngest girl to a rock, and the other to a small cove, before the all weather lifeboat picked up the adults and the inshore boat came for the girls.

All were wearing only swimming costumes and lifejackets, and were beginning to suffer hypothermia. This potential holiday injury was also averted through warmth and reassurance, meaning that a hospital visit was not necessary.

A lifeguards spokesperson said, "The kayakers are all very lucky that the lifeguards spotted them so far out in rough seas.

"It's only a week since the RNLI lifeguards started their summer season and already their training has been put into practice.

"Having spoken to the RNLI lifeguards, lifeboat crews and the coastguard I am confident that without the lifeguards' quick thinking and the effective communication from all parties there could have been a much more tragic outcome."

A warning was also issued that, despite the lack of personal injury in this case, setting out in terrible weather conditions would always be a holiday accident waiting to happen.