Safety review promised for popular Forth swim event after water rescues

0 Swimmers were pulled out of the Firth of Forth Organisers of a popular swimming event have pledged to review safety procedures after participants had to be pulled from the Firth of Forth due to the rapid current.

Coastguard and RNLI crews were called into action on Saturday to save helpless swimmers who had been swept under the last bridge arch battling against a fierce tide.

Winds of 13mph were expected, but that figure doubled in the final third of the annual Firth of Forth Swim, meaning the water was moving at a “phenomenal” rate.

One person was assisted by crews and taken to Hawes Pier where they received treatment from paramedics.

A record 214 people entered Saturday’s 1.4 mile swim from South Queensferry, with only 190 reaching the finish point at the old pier at North Queensferry. Participant Melanie Mcainsh, 56, said: “It was all fun until we got closer to the end and the speed of the water was just phenomenal.

“There was a group of people who got flushed under the last bridge arch. I was trying so hard to get back on track, but the current was too strong.

“We got timed out because the river needs to be opened up for boats again.

“The lifeboat crew were excellent and saved me and another girl, who was very cold. I’m disappointed to have not finished because it was a really good event.”

The RNLI lifeboat from South Queensferry was sent to the Firth of Forth Swim 2018, along with Coastguard Rescue Teams just after 3pm.

It followed a number of reports to HM Coastguard that safety boats were struggling to cope with the conditions, with one of the four in operation breaking down.

The Kinghorn RNLI lifeboat was also brought to immediate readiness to launch as a further precaution and the Scottish Ambulance Service was in attendance.

Organisers Vigour Events has vowed to make improvements to their safety protocol.

Event organiser Robert Hamilton said: “We will review what happened on Saturday and see what we need to improve on for next year. Safety is our number one priority.”