RNLI ‘ill advised’ to call for beach closures – MP
FREEDOM to take to the beach is essential for people’s wellbeing, a tourism leader says as he rejected the idea of closing off the coast until lifeguard cover is rolled out.
Rick Turner, chairman of the South West Tourism Alliance, said the deaths of two people on the coast of Cornwall should not lead to the closing down of beaches that are not patrolled.
And a Cornish MP stepped in, branding as “ill advised” the RNLI’s call for the Government to restrict access to the coast to give the charity time to bring in a full lifeguard service.
The RNLI asked for the unprecedented action this week, after the two deaths in separate incidents, saying it was not ready to roll out cover which was put on hold in March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Steve Double, who represents St Austell and Newquay, said: “I think it was ill advised of the RNLI to make that call.
“I have no criticism of lifeguards, many of whom are desperate to get back to work. There are reports in Cornwall that many are on beaches as volunteers trying to keep people safe.
“I think that management have handled this whole situation very badly.”
Mr Turner said: “After months of lockdown, going to the beach is essential for our wellbeing and sanity. The deaths are tragic but I do not think that beaches should be closed down.
“I would urge the RNLI to see if they can get as many beaches patrolled by lifeguards as soon as possible.”
He said the situation was “unprecedented” with “brilliant” weather coinciding with the easing of lockdown restrictions and the half-term holiday. Caution was needed because of large seas, strong rip currents and water that was still colder than in midwinter, he added.
As regards social distancing, people were behaving “very well”.
The RNLI has said that seven beaches in Cornwall and one in North Devon will have patrols by this weekend.
Mr Turner said: “We have got to be realistic. There has probably not been enough time for the RNLI to recruit or get lifeguards on beaches. It is fantastic that they have been able to do what they have done so quickly.”
Mr Double also called on the RNLI to get more patrols in place as soon as possible. He said the charity should get equipment to the volunteers who were providing some cover.
He welcomed the news of the cover coming to beaches this weekend, but added; “They have had plenty of time since the travel restrictions were lfted to have got more lifeguards on beaches.”
The RNLI has said that its difficulties are compounded by the need for protective equipment to safeguard rescuers from the risk of the coronavirus while in close contact those with they are saving. Such equipment also needed to work in water, the charity has said.
Mr Double said: “I think that the vast majority of what lifeguards do on beaches does not require any contact with people.
“Putting out flags and showing people where it is safe to go in and warning about rip currents does not mean they have to be close to people. They can do some of that work inside their trucks using loudspeakers. They don’t need to go within 20 yards of people.
“If there is an emergency situation it is different. But the other emergency services have managed to do their jobs with the right equipment.
“For most of what they do lifeguards are in what we are told is the lowest risk environment – outdoors in the fresh air.”
Former Westcountry MP Charlotte Leslie, a lifeguard on the North Cornwall coast in her youth, said there had been a “catastrophic failure” by senior RNLI management. Bosses had “not embodied the value of those on the frontline”, said the exBristol MP.
A MAN has died after getting into difficulty while on a jet ski, police said.
The 22-year-old, locally named as Billy James, from Torquay, was riding a jet ski out at sea in Teignmouth, Devon, on Tuesday night.
He was rescued from the water by the RNLI, who notified Devon and Cornwall Police at about 9.40pm.
Paramedics also attended the incident and carried out CPR on the man, from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.
He was taken to Torbay Hospital, but was later pronounced dead. A police spokesman said the man’s next of kin have been informed.
“The death is not being treated as suspicious and police are preparing a file for HM Coroner,” he said.
Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact the force, quoting log 0877 of May 26.
On Tuesday, the chief executive of the RNLI called on the Government to restrict access to the coast.
Mark Cowie said the lifting of lockdown restrictions in England had put the charity in an “impossible situation” of choosing between keeping lifeguards or the public safe.
In an open letter, Mr Cowie said it needed time to prepare for lifeguards to safely return to the beaches.
His comments followed the deaths of two people in separate incidents along the Cornish coastline on Monday.
A 17-year-old girl died and two other people were taken to hospital after a rigid inflatable boat capsized in Wadebridge.
And a man was pronounced dead after being pulled from the water at Treyarnon Bay in Padstow by a member of the public.
In a third incident, surfers pulled an unconscious man from the water in Porthtowan, Truro. The man was taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital.
He has since praised those who rescued and treated him.
Jonathan Davies was unconscious when he was dragged from the sea by several people, including his friend Steve England, who is a volunteer member of the local surf lifesaving club.
Jonathan said on Facebook that he had “so much to be thankful for”.
He said: “All the amazing crew who saved my life, the guys in the sea with me Alfie, Steve England, Rab, Chris, Dominique Kent, Kath and probably many many more. Also the amazing lifeboat crew who are simply amazing and too many to name in my current stupor. And never ever forgetting the amazing Mike Spivey in ICU who skilfully brought me back from the brink. Forever thankful.”
Rescuer Steve England said the rescue was a “team effort”.