Boys saved from drowning off Hastings coast

RNLI lifeguards Oliver Veness and James Blything were keeping watch over the beach when Oliver noticed two boys who were 150 to 200 metres from the shore shouting and waving in distress.

Oliver said: “Having given my radio and hat to a beachgoer on the shore I entered the water and made towards the casualties.

“One of them yelled for me to help his brother who couldn’t swim.

“I encouraged him to try and float but he was too distressed so I towed him into shore using a chin support.”

While this was taking place James arrived with his board and headed out to the second casualty who was keeping his head just above the water.

He was placed on the board and brought to the safety of the shore.

The RNLI said both lifeguards acted swiftly and their training enabled them to prevent what could have been a tragedy.

Once both boys were safely ashore they were asked questions to make sure they had not swallowed water, as this can lead to secondary drowning, and then advised to go to hospital to get checked out.

Lifeguard supervisor Georgia praised the lifeguards for their quick thinking and their calmness throughout the rescue, which happened on Friday, June 26.

A spokesman for the RNLI said: “The RNLI urges people to read as much safety advice as possible before they arrive at the beach.

“It is important to swim between the yellow and red flags and to make yourself aware of the local conditions and tide timetables.

“The lifeguards who patrol the beaches are trained to deal with a variety of senarios and part of their work is preventative by educating the beachgoers about the dangers of the water and keeping safe. Always Respect the Water and keep safe.”

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