Seven children rescued from rocks at Challaborough

Seven children were rescued from being stranded on rocks at Challaborough Beach by an RNLI lifeguard.

Senior RNLI lifeguard Harry Durant was alerted to an incident involving seven young children who were stranded on rocks out to sea at Challaborough beach on Saturday, 28 May.

They were "out of their depth" and about 30 meters away from the shore.

At around 1.30pm on an incoming spring tide on Saturday, the children were rock-pooling on a stretch of rocks easily accessible at low tide.

An RNLI spokespersoin said that the popular rock-pooling area "can also very dangerous if you don’t allow enough time to get back on to dry land".

As the tide was flooding in, the rocks soon became isolated as water "rapidly filled the gully between the rocks and the beach, resulting in the children being stuck, surrounded by water".

It was a calm, sunny day, but the incoming tide had caught the youngsters off-guard and RNLI lifeguard, Harry Durant quickly entered the water with a rescue board and paddled out to the children.

He ferried them in two at a time on the front of his rescue board, making four trips in total to the rocks and back, returning all seven children safely to shore, the youngest being just four-years-old. Harry reunited them with their families who were "very thankful".

The RNLI is urging anyone visiting the coast this summer to make sure they keep themselves and their families safe by following beach safety advice:
• Visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.
• Check the weather forecast, tide times and read local hazard signage to understand local risks.
• Keep a close eye on your family – on the beach and in the water – don’t allow your family to swim alone.
• If you fall into the water unexpectedly, FLOAT TO LIVE. Fight your instinct to thrash around, lean back, extend your arms and legs, and float.
• In an emergency dial 999/112 and ask for the Coastguard.