Lifeguards rescue two swimmers off St Leonards coast

Joel, RNLI lifeguard on duty at Marina, St Leonards, was patrolling the beach with a lifesaving tube when he spotted two swimmers who were being pushed eastwards and were trying to swim against the west-east current.

He was aware his fellow lifeguard was out patrolling the sea on his board so he radioed him and requested he check on their welfare.

An RNLI spokesman said: “By the time Ryan reached them it was clear they were exhausted and were in danger of being swept into the rocks east of the zone.

“Joel radioed base to let them know he was going in with his rescue tube and then swam out to Ryan who had them both holding onto his board.

“He told one of the swimmers to take hold of the rescue tube and indicated they were going to swim through the gap in the rocks one beach down and that this would lead them to safety.

“Ryan got the other casualty to mount the board and paddled her eastward, following Joel through the gap further down the shoreline.

“Both casualties and lifeguards left the water through the planned exit and returned to the safety of the beach with no injuries to either party.”

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