A dramatic rescue operation was carried out by HM Coastguard on Friday evening, with up to 20 teenagers rescued from choppy seas off the UK coast. Three of the teenagers were taken to hospital for treatment, with HM Coastguard praising the efforts of those involved in the rescue.
According to eyewitnesses, the group of teenagers had been swimming in the area when they became caught in strong currents. HM Coastguard received a mayday call at around 9pm and quickly sprang into action, deploying rescue teams and vessels to the scene.
The rescue operation, which involved multiple agencies, was praised by HM Coastguard as a 'textbook example' of how to respond to a complex emergency. The teenagers, who have not been named, are believed to be in a stable condition.
The incident highlights the importance of water safety awareness, particularly among young people. According to the Royal Life Saving Society, there were 258 reported drownings in the UK in 2020, with many of these incidents involving young people.
Nationally, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death among children and young people aged 5-19. The NHS urges people to take steps to stay safe in and around water, including learning to swim and following basic safety rules.