A young child has been rescued after being blown out to sea on an inflatable unicorn in North Ayrshire. The incident took place shortly before 4pm on Sunday, August 14 when coastguard teams were alerted to reports of a youngster having drifted out to sea at Stevenston Beach, sparking an emergency response.
The Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team, alongside Ayr Coastguard Rescue Team, Coastguard Helicopter Rescue 199 and Troon RNLI Lifeboat, sped to the scene but upon arrival, crews discovered that the child had already been pulled from the water by a paddleboarder and a jet skier.
Luckily, the pair were in the area at the time and had watched in horror as the incident unfolded before their eyes.
Volunteers rushed to the child's aid and in case any further medical care was required, a helicopter was sent out to drop off two paramedics who were sent to the site to provide assistance.
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Photos taken at the scene, which were shared on social media, show at least two coastguard vehicles parked on the beach while the rescue effort takes place.
The aircraft in question can also be seen sitting stationary on the sand, while crew members, decked out in safety gear, stand guard. Another image shows two volunteers posing with the now-deflated unicorn dinghy.
It is understood that the child did not suffer any significant injuries or need hospitalised as a result of the dramatic event, and thanks to the quick thinking of the paddleboarder and jet skier, was soon reunited with their family.
A coastguard spokesperson said the ordeal once again 'highlights the dangers' of bringing inflatables to the beach - and is a reminder of how things can change in an instant for those in the water when the weather takes a turn.
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Kevin Paterson, Station Officer of the Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team, said: “We continue to urge the public to leave inflatables at home when visiting the coast – they are designed for the swimming pool, not the sea.
“This incident highlights once again the dangers and how a sudden change in wind direction can quickly turn a pleasant afternoon at the beach into a serious emergency situation.
“The quick thinking of the paddleboarder and the jet skier also undoubtedly had a significant positive impact on this incident and we extend our thanks to everyone who was able to assist."
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