July 25, 2019 1.26 pm This story is over 59 months old

Three people rescued after floating out to sea on inflatables

They were sent out to rescue two and rescued a young child on their way back
These inflatables were floating out to sea with people on board. Photo: RNLI

RNLI crews in Skegness rescued two people who had floated out to sea on inflatables before they were sent out to rescue a young child on another inflatable.

It has prompted a safety warning from the charity as it pulled out plenty of the blow-up plastic from the water on Wednesday, July 24.

Lifeguards said that they saved three lives and recovered multiple inflatables during an “intensive two-hour call-out” period.

The three-strong RNLI team first spotted two people drifting out 500 metres offshore with an outgoing tide before the crew managed to get them back to land for medical treatment.

The crew were then immediately tasked to an object two miles out from Anderby Creek, which turned out to be a giant beach ball.

When they were returning to Ingoldmells the crew came across a young child on an inflatable which was drifting out to sea.

In total, they recovered seven inflatables and saved three lives.

A spokesperson for the RNLI said: “Please remember that inflatables should not be used in the sea, especially during offshore winds. Please use an RNLI lifeguarded beach and swim between the flags.

“For all coastal emergencies dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.”