Rescue crews in lifeboats rushed to assist two swimmers in the Bristol Channel on Friday (February 24) after an alarm was raised by a passer-by that they had signalled for help. Weston-Super-Mare RNLI confirmed they were alerted mid-morning on Friday that two swimmers were struggling between Grand Pier and Knightstone Island, reports Somerset Live.
A Weston RNLI spokesperson said: “A concerned member of the public walking along the promenade had contacted the coast guard as it appeared to them that they were signalling for assistance. The team’s D class lifeboat was quickly scrambled to the scene and found the swimmers who were not in any danger.”
The spokesperson said that the D class lifeboat was rapidly deployed to assist the swimmers, adding : “It was quickly established that they were fine and enjoying a bracing swim.” The lifeboat returned to the scene with crew members going back to their day jobs.
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Cold water swimmers have been out during the winter months with Weston proving to be a popular spot with many using Marine Lake, The spokesperson said that although the swimmers had not been in danger, the passer-by made the right call in alerting the rescue crew.
The spokesman said: “ The caller was thanked for having made absolutely the right call as all of the team would rather check out people in possible need of our help rather than the emergency services having to respond when the situation has escalated.” Anyone who spots someone in trouble along the coast should call 999 and ask for the coastguard.
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