6 children aged between 6 and 16 were rescued by lifeguards in Ryde yesterday (Monday), with paramedics called in to treat 2 young girls for secondary drowning.
Ryde Beach Lifeguards dealt with 2 separate incidents within just 20 minutes of one another, with the new inshore rescue boat being used on both occassions.
The first emergency was sighted at 16:26 when 2 young girls – aged 6 and 8 – were seen drifting out to sea on a pink lilo. Alarmingly, the younger of the 2 girls was going under and swallowing water. The youngsters were hauled onto the rescue boat and taken ashore.
The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service were alerted to the situation with paramedics attending the lifeguard HQ on North Walk to treat the 2 casualties for secondary drowning.
Within 20 minutes of the first emergency, 4 teenagers were seen to be in difficulty by Ryde Harbour. Lifeguards swiftly lifted the 2 boys and 2 girls – aged between 12 and 16 – onto the rescue boat and took the 2 separate groups of friends back to shore. Thankfully, they did not require any medical treatment but were warned of the symptoms of secondary drowning.
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When we were children there were no lifeguards etc, and I only recall one incident of some unfortunate children drowning on the sandbank off Ryde.
As then, the tide used to flow in front of the raised sandbank, in a kind of pincer movement, thus a deep fast channel of water surrounded you IF you left it too late to walk back to the shore.
Also there were a couple of old wooden ‘rafts’ chained to concrete blocks off Appley, where we used to swim out to and dive off.
Whilst it is marvellous that we have lifeguards at Ryde now, do parents still warn their children of the dangers of the tide and sea?
We were told of the dangers of the sea and tide, and weird men in the W.C’s every time we went to the beach, perhaps so much so, we almost had a fear of the tide, but I imagine it saved many a child’s life by not taking risks, expecting others to ‘be there’ should the risk not always go they way we hoped for.
Since the construction of the ice rink and ryde harbour. The water has to go somewhere which creates a rip current that pulls people off the harbour beach into deep water,
In the case of the 6 year old and the 8 year old where were their parents obviously not taking care of them that’s for sure
At that age you would think the parents, would have the common sence to have a rope tied to the lilo.
And keep an eye on them at all times.
Totally agree. Today it could have been a different story. Well done to the lifeguards and coast guards and all the rescue teams out there.
We were on the beach watching ! They looked fine to us with no signal of distress!
So think about what you are saying !
It’s easy done one minute everything is fine ! The next minute you’re slicing lemons wondering why your kids are waving so much lol!
Lets Just be thankful they are alive !
It’s called common sense parenting clearly not used in this case
Exactly… Obviously weren’t fine if one of the youngsters was taking in water
The sea is not a friend & children should never be unattended when in it
So you watched events unfold and came to the conclusion everything was fine? Let’s hope you’re not a parent or hold any position of responsibility.
Everyday heros! Well done. 🙂
Absolutely right John! Hope the parents of the rescued children have opened up their wallets & made a gesture to our Ryde lifeguards!!!! Xxx
legs i spects
And where were all the parents of these minors? How utterly irresponsible.
Is it just me or does the term ‘secondary drowning seem strange. To me it sounds like they were drowned once and then drowned again.
I think its when the lungs still have water trapped in them
Not 100% sure something on them lines
I’m wondering that too. Is there anyone who can enlighten us, we may need to know about it in an emergency situation.
“Secondary drowning” is another term people use to describe another drowning complication. It happens if water gets into the lungs. There, it can irritate the lungs’ lining and fluid can build up, causing a condition called pulmonary edema.
Thanks, now I will know what’s happening should it ever arise.
It can happen up to 48hrs after being in the water. They could be asleep in bed & suddenly drown. Do to more fluid going to lungs that it was first thought. Far worse as by the time it happens you think the child is in the clear.
When I was a kid, our parents weren’t distracted by mobile phones, which meant their attention was focused on us the whole time. Don’t get me wrong they can be a blessing. But, as my ole mum used to say when you got kids you need eyes in the back of your head.
I am familiar with the family of the so called 6 & 8 year olds . They are actually older and they were pulled into shore by their mother the older child was fine the younger shaken and only as a precaution was seen by professionals . I have seen her this morning as she is absolutely fine … the reporting is incorrect and should be amended or removed thank you
Why ohh why do parants let children out on boats, lilos etc, and even at 16 they are still young and vulnerable, parants probably to busy telling them to go away so they can top up their tans and have a quiet day, glad they are OK, parants you should be ashamed
peopal is paid muny to have em. years a go you had work more if you want a kid. now work less get more tax creduts and famlee alowences. thems want the muny not the kids.
Any child going in the sea if using a inflatable, paddle board, ect should be wearing a LIFE JACKET! if not they should not be going out their depth.. Especially if they are not being watched closely near by.. If that’s too much of an effort then don’t let them in..you might trust your child but you can’t trust the sea!! Don’t mess with it!
Make it law if there is lack of parental attention charge the parents with all the costs.
I remeber a bright summers day like this many years ago.A packed beach ,children playing in the sea.One had a yellow lilo and drifted too far from shore…the child in question was attacked and eaten by a great white shark..
Me and my friend was the 16 year olds that was drowning. We was on the lifeboat with two other 11 year old girls. My friend William was crying about the whole experience. My other two friends (one who was a strong swimmer) was having a hard time saving William as he was also drowning and pulling one of them underwater. It was a crazy experience
My friends were the 16 year old boys who got into difficulties. We were in a group and At the time it was safe to go in and swim, I am a scuba diver and was constantly assessing the situation. What happened was they realised how deep it was and freaked out. Thankfully the lifeguards were there and able to rescue them and make sure they were ok.
The two 16 year old boys involved are my two friends and i was with them at the time in the water, as well as one other. One minute we could all touch the floor and were swimming and having fun and the next, the under current had swept us over into much deeper water. The two boys started panicking and struggled to stay afloat. It was a man on his own boat who helped them by holding onto the side of his boat until the lifeguards came. Myself and the one other swam to sore to then be with our friends after the incident, where the lifeguards were making sure they were ok and well.
I find it interesting how people can give an opinion and can easily point the finger of blame when they weren’t there and don’t know what truly happened.