Three paddle boarders rescued after being swept out to sea

Berwick-upon-Tweed RNLI Helmsman Michael Avril and crew Christi Avril, Sean Dixon and James Bird boarded the D-Class lifeboat and sped off towards Spittal beach south of the lifeboat station where the casualties had been sighted

On arrival, the crew saw three persons had managed to get back on the beach at the far south end of Spittal beach.

The lifeboat crew safely beached the lifeboat to check with the three paddle boarders that no one else had been swept out to sea - as there were only two paddle boards on the beach.

Once it was established that there was no one else in the water, the RNLI, HM Coastguard and ambulance service worked together assessed each casualty. This was an excellent example of emergency services working together.

Once they were all assessed the casualties were then handed over to the North East Ambulance Service for further assessment.

The RNLI lifeboat crew updated HM Coastguard with a description of the paddle board that had been swept out to sea without a person on it. or in the in the water, so they were informed in case another call come in of it being seen out at sea.

For anyone wanting to go out into the water the RNLI urge everyone to go on to the RNLI web pages and read our safety messages, Respect the Water – National Drowning Prevention Campaign https://rnli.org/safety/respect-the-water

For paddle borders please read our safety message on, https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/stand-up-paddle-boarding

Here you will learn life saving knowledge on how to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.RNLI Media contacts

For more information, please contact Hazel Bettison, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: hazel_bettison@rnli.org.uk

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.