Two girls, five, are swept half a mile out to sea on inflatable SWAN
Two girls, five, are swept half a mile out to sea on an inflatable SWAN after one’s father let go of the rope momentarily
- Children were playing on the plastic bird in the shallows off Minehead, Somerset
- Father waded into the water but the girls were being carried away too quickly
- RNLI lifeboat crews scrambled two boats and a coastguard helicopter to rescue
Two young girls were blown half a mile out to sea on an inflatable swan yesterday afternoon, triggering a lifeboat rescue operation.
The children, aged five, were playing on the plastic bird in the shallows off the beach at Minehead, Somerset, while one of their father’s held a rope on shore which was fastened to the inflatable.
But, after letting go of the line only momentarily, the girls were suddenly swept away by blustery winds.
He frantically ran into the sea off but the plastic bird was quickly moving into deeper waters.
Two young girls were blown half a mile out to sea on an inflatable swan yesterday afternoon off the coast of Minehead, Somerset, triggering a lifeboat rescue operation
RNLI lifeboat crews scrambled to launch two of their inshore RIBs and raced out in search of the girls
Realising he was not able to go after the girls he yelled at them to stay on the swan and dialled 999.
RNLI lifeboat crews scrambled to launch two of their inshore RIBs and raced out in search of the girls.
Volunteer lifeboat helm, Phil Sanderson, said that before the dad had time to react the wind had pushed the inflatable several yards away.
He said: ‘He waded into the water and tried to swim out to them but the thing was just moving too quickly and he couldn’t get near it.
The lifeboats were on scene within a few minutes and were joined by a coastguard helicopter which had been on exercise in the area
Volunteer lifeboat helm, Phil Sanderson (base pictured) said that by the time the lifeboats arrived the inflatable was almost half a mile offshore – and still moving rapidly seaward
‘He did exactly the right thing: he shouted to the girls to stay on the inflatable and then the family dialled 999.’
The lifeboats were on scene within a few minutes and were joined by a coastguard helicopter which had been on exercise in the area.
Phil said that by the time the lifeboats arrived the inflatable was almost half a mile offshore – and still moving rapidly seawards.
He said: ‘Clearly the girls were very frightened by then but we soon had them aboard and reunited with their family.’
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