Two rescued within an hour after bodyboarder swept out to sea and walker trapped near Portrush cave

RNLI lifeguards rescue person trapped at cave off Whiterocks Beach. (Picture: Chris Little / Coleraine Coastguard)

A bodyboarder swept out to sea by a sudden rip current and an injured walker trapped beside a cave were rescued during a busy afternoon for RNLI lifeguards on the Causeway Coast.

The two incidents happened within around an hour of each other at Portrush East Strand and Whiterocks Beach on Sunday afternoon, 6 September.

Both casualties were brought safely ashore, with the RNLI now reminding visitors that lifeguard patrols will operate at weekends only until the end of September.

Bodyboarder caught in flash rip

Senior lifeguard Hannah Anderson and lifeguard Alex Ostropyskyy were carrying out Rescue Watercraft training in offshore winds at East Strand at around 4.30pm when colleague Cohan Laverty alerted them to a bodyboarder in difficulty.

The casualty had been caught in a flash rip current and was drifting farther out to sea.

Lifeguard Alice Boyle immediately headed towards the bodyboarder on a rescue board, while Hannah and Alex returned to shore to collect a responder’s bag.

Alice attempted to bring the casualty back using the rescue board, but the strength of the wind made this impossible.

Hannah then reached them on the Rescue Watercraft. The casualty was transferred onto its rescue sled and taken safely back to the beach.

Lifeguards carried out an assessment as a precaution to check that the bodyboarder had not taken in water. The casualty was subsequently discharged.

Walker trapped beside cave

RNLI lifeguards rescue person trapped at cave off Whiterocks Beach.

At around 5.30pm, lifeguards at Whiterocks responded after a walker slipped on loose rocks beside a cave to the right of the beach.

The walker suffered injuries to their hands and legs and became trapped in an area that could be reached only from the water.

Portrush RNLI, Coleraine Coastguard and the fire service were requested to respond.

RNLI lifeguards Zak Kincaid and Michael Evans travelled to the cave on a Rescue Watercraft, while fellow lifeguard Kioni Little maintained communications with the other emergency responders.

The casualty was placed on the watercraft’s rescue sled and brought back to the beach, where the local Coastguard team was waiting.

Casualty care was provided for the walker’s wounds before they were safely discharged.

Weekend patrols only during September

RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor Michael Jess praised the lifeguards involved in both operations.

He said:

“This was an eventful afternoon for our lifeguard team both at East Strand and Whiterocks and we would like to commend them for their efforts in ensuring both casualties were brought to safety and we wish both of them well.

“As we approach the end of the lifeguard season and are now into September, we would like to remind anyone planning a visit to the beach that we are on patrol at the weekends only to the end of the month.

“Should you visit a beach outside of those times, we would encourage you to check the weather and tides in advance and to always read local signage when you arrive.”

The incidents underline how quickly conditions can become dangerous, both in the water and along the rocky coastline. Anyone visiting outside weekend patrol times should be aware that RNLI lifeguards may not be present and should check local conditions before setting out.