Four children in rubber dinghy saved in RNLI rescue off North Yorkshire coast

RNLI lifeguards were called out after the dinghy with the children aged between 10 and 13 on board was blown out to sea near Sandsend, North Yorkshire.

The charity said the boat was outside the "safe swim zone" when they rescued them on Wednesday morning, with the strong offshore winds meaning the scenario could have had unthinkable consequences.

Lifeguard Owen Robson was tasked to respond by rescue board to reach the children, while Senior RNLI Lifeguard Rob Stephenson requested the Whitby Rescue Water Craft (RWC) which was launched and on scene in three minutes. It was able to return the children two at a time safely to shore.

Two other 11-year-olds were also saved in a later rescue after being blown offshore in an inflatable at Filey.

Lifeguards Sapphire Thraves and Miles Lanson were alerted to the casualties, with Mr Larson rescuing both 11-year-olds and reuniting them with their family.

RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor, James Turner, said: "Our lifeguards have worked extremely hard this week and I’m really proud of them.

"Without their seamless teamwork and swift actions, the individuals in difficulty wouldn’t have been able to get themselves out of danger and there could have been very different outcomes. It was also great to work with our colleagues from Whitby RNLI."

Ahead of what is likely to be a busy weekend, James added: "We’d urge people to visit a lifeguarded beach, to swim between the red and yellow flags and leave inflatables at home. These items are designed for pools, not the sea where they can easily be swept out."