Two boys rescued by lifeboat volunteers
TWO children had to be rescued when they were swept out to sea after trying to use construction bags as floats yesterday afternoon.
The 12-year-old boys had drifted 100m off the pier when they were rescued by Penarth RNLI lifeboat volunteers.
The pair had been playing in the sea on discarded floating construction bags which they had found near Penarth Pier.
The pair pushed the bags out to sea and boarded them, but were very quickly taken out to sea by offshore winds.
Their friend realised they were in difficulty and called 999.
The crew were paged at 2.08pm and the D-class lifeboat launched quickly. The two boys were reported as being safe and well but wet and cold. They were taken back to shore and warmed up in the station with showers, blankets, drinks and chocolate.
The large white bags are air cushions, designed to be clipped together in order to protect someone falling from height.
Andy Berry from Penarth RNLI said: “The boys were lucky that their friends quickly called 999. With the offshore breeze, the boys were quickly heading out to sea, and time in this rescue was absolutely critical.
“Of course they had no life jackets available, and only thin summer clothes on. The water in the Bristol Channel remains cold through most of the year.
“We urge parents to ensure their children know the risks of playing near or on the sea, especially with any type of inflatable”.
Jason Dunlop, lifeboat operations manager for Penarth RNLI station, said: “We are so grateful that this rescue had such a positive outcome. Our crews responded quickly and we were able to effect a rapid rescue of the children.
“Had they been in the water for much longer or drifted further, the outcome could well have been more serious”.