On early Sunday evening, an incident unfolded that serves as a stark reminder for all parents and guardians.
Eric Lawson, who was playing with his dogs near the Sundial Cafe on Sandown Beach, found himself in a situation that required immediate action.
Two young boys, aged 10 and 11, were spotted in the sea, seemingly unattended. Eric told OnTheWight they were foreign students who had been allowed to venture out on an inflatable kayak without life jackets.
An alarming situation
Eric explained that the boys had paddled from the Sandown monument to a point beyond the Sundial Cafe. The strong current made this journey particularly dangerous, especially as the wind had picked up too.
Despite this, and a crowded beach, they appeared to have gone unnoticed by anyone, including their host family. It was past 7pm, so we understand there were no lifeguards on the beach.
The situation took a turn for the worse when the kayak capsized. The boys shouted for help, catching the attention of Eric and his partner.
Quick thinking saves the day
Eric, a strong swimmer, didn’t hesitate. He immediately swam out — in just his underpants — to rescue the boys.
His swift response ensured their safety, bringing them back to shore without injury.
Oblivious host parent
Eric said that surprisingly, the host parent arrived to collect the kayak, seemingly unaware of the ordeal the boys had just experienced.
He told OnTheWight,
“Thank goodness the council forgot to renew the dog ban as we were down there sitting on the groyne playing with our dogs. Plenty of people about, but none was watching them.”
This incident underscores the importance of proper supervision and safety measures, especially for young children in potentially hazardous situations.
Well done Eric.
Image of Sandown Beach used for illustrative purposes only by Simon Haytack under CC BY 2.0
