RNLI Lifeguards in South Devon respond to multiple incidents in one afternoon

Just after 3pm on Tuesday 8 July, RNLI lifeguard Zoe Durant was approached by a member of the public who was concerned for the welfare of her two friends who were kayaking towards Burgh Island. They had last been seen heading out into challenging cross-shore winds.

Zoe immediately coordinated a joint lifeguard response from teams at Bantham and Sedgewell Cove while Senior RNLI lifeguard Jess Rendell liaised with Falmouth Coastguard. The Rescue Watercraft (RWC) from Bantham was launched to assist in the search, which was operated by Senior RNLI lifeguard Matt Liptrott, and crewed by RNLI lifeguard Lucy Stroud who was collected en-route from Sedgewell Cove.

Due to the evolving nature of the incident, Hope Cove Independent Lifeboat and Bigbury Coastguard Rescue Team were also tasked, while Sedgewell Cove Lifeguards conducted a shoreline search using their all-terrain vehicle.

Thankfully, before the search teams reached the kayakers’ last reported position, it was confirmed that both individuals had made their way safely to another beach.

As the RWC began it’s return to Bantham, a second unrelated incident began to unfold at the mouth of the River Avon.

Senior RNLI lifeguard Daisy Womack was approached by two separate groups reporting multiple people in distress upstream, out of view from the lifeguard patrols. Without delay, Matt and Lucy redirected the RWC back across Bigbury Bay and arrived swiftly on scene, where they identified three individuals in difficulty. One swimmer was in particular distress and was shouting for help.

Thanks to the quick response and expert handling of the RWC, Lucy and Matt recovered the casualty within seconds, assessing their condition and providing welfare as they did so. They could then locate the remaining two individuals, who had become stranded on their paddleboard while trying to return to Bantham. All three were safely returned to shore.

RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor Luke Lane-Prokopiou said:

‘The rapid and decisive actions taken by Matt and Lucy on the RWC undoubtably saved the life of this casualty, and their efforts were part of a well-coordinated response from the entire RNLI lifeguard team across the beaches.

This was an incredible team effort from everyone involved. Their professionalism and communication skills during this incident was a key part to its success. We want to encourage people to always make sure to check conditions before heading out into the water, always have a means for calling for help, and make sure to choose a Lifeguarded beach this summer.’

The RNLI's advice is to:

- Choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags, which is the area most closely monitored by the lifeguards.

- The charity’s advice for anyone struggling in the water is ‘Float to Live’:

• Tilt your head back, with your ears submerged

• Relax and try to breathe normally

• Move your hands and feet to help you stay afloat

• It’s fine if your legs sink, we all float differently

• Practise floating in a local pool if you can.

If you see someone else struggling in water:

• Call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

• Tell the person to relax and float on their back.

• Throw something buoyant to help them stay afloat.

For more information visit RNLI.org/Float

Notes to Editors

• Spokespeople are available for interview – please contact the press office on the details below

• Follow the link to see which beaches are currently lifeguarded here

Media contacts

For more information please contact Colleen Semple on [email protected] or Amy Caldwell, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected] or Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected], or RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or via [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.