When we hear news like this, it makes us appreciate the efforts of those who rallied for paid lifeguards on Ventnor Beach. This just in from the council. Ed
A family day to the beach turned into a dramatic rescue on Tuesday 24 August.
At 1715 at Ventnor Beach, a mother and daughter who were on the sea on body boards were caught out by a rip tide and were being swept out towards rocks.
Seeing the pair were in difficulties, IW Council lifeguards Eddie Cole and Lloyd Wheatley both entered the water and swam out to the pair on wave boards.
Due to the strength of the tide, the lifeguards had to abandon their boards but still reached the pair and both managed to swim back to the shore with the mother and daughter. Despite the mother and daughter both being in some shock from the rescue, they were unhurt.
The rescue was overseen on the shore by the local longshoreman to ensure everyone was safe.
Could have been very serious
IW Council’s Stuart Love, Director of Economy and Environment said “This was a situation that could have become very serious had our lifeguards not been there.
“The father was becoming very concerned on the shore and tried to swim out himself but was told to stay on the beach, so both lifeguards entered the water, which is something that seldom happens.
“At one point the lifeguards were being pushed against rocks so they had to abandon their boards during the rescue, but they still managed to get the mother and daughter safely ashore. This demonstrates that all our lifeguards are trained to the highest possible standards and carry out their duty even when presented with problems”
The rescue came a day after the lifeguards rescued a young boy who was in danger of being swept out to sea in an inflatable boat with the current. He was unhurt and reunited with his family back onshore.
Image: Lifeguards shown in picture are not those referred to in the article
