A group of brave surfers came the rescue of a man and two young girls, to save them from a rip current at a beach in East Cork over the weekend.
The two girls aged 9 and 10 were at the beach on Sunday last, where they decided to go for a swim with their father, when the trio soon became swept up in a rip current, which had started to pull them away from the shoreline at Inch Beach in Cork.
Onlookers quickly notified the coast guard, while a group of surfers and swimmers soon came the rescue, with the trio eventually being escorted back to shore, despite one of the girls getting separated from her father at one point.
The family were safely back on dry land by the time the Guileen Coast Guard arrived. A medical assessment was carried out of the family by first responders, and they remained at the scene until the National Ambulance arrived.
The family were given the all clear by medical staff, and members of the coast guard paid tribute to all who gave their assistance.
Following this incident, a spokesperson for the Guileen Coast Guard released a statement.
"Guileen Coast Guard Unit were alerted yesterday at approximately 1:20 pm by a member of the public to reports of swimmers in difficulty at Inch Beach. Valentia MRSC were immediately informed".
"On arrival, we found two girls, aged 9 and 10, and their father, who had been escorted from the water by surfers and other swimmers. Guileen CGU members immediately assessed the three casualties and provided medical assistance until the National Ambulance Service arrived", they added.
"Speaking with one of the surfers who went to their assistance, he explained that when he reached the family, one of the girls had become separated from the other two, with all three being pulled eastwards in a strong rip current. He also said that one of the girls was floating on her back, a technique she remembered from her swimming lessons".
"A huge thank you to the surfers and members of the public who went to their assistance".
They added that this incident is a perfect demonstration of the importance of water safety, and knowing what to do in the event of a rip current.
The general advice is to stay calm, float and call for advice, which was followed by the young surfers and swimmers to a tee. (All quotes in this piece according to Cork Beo).
