4 children in difficulty in the water at Shanklin Seafront were pulled to safety by members of the public this morning (Saturday).
It was just before 11:00 that Solent Coastguard was alerted to a situation developing on the Esplanade, prompting the immediate deployment of Coastguard Rescue Teams from Bembridge and Ventnor, with Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat also paged to launch.
Thankfully, quick-thinking members of the public were able to bring the group ashore prior to the lifeboat hitting the water.
The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service mobilised an ambulance crew, critical care paramedic and an operational commander to the incident, checking over those involved.
This included a middle-aged man who entered the water to rescue the youngsters, leaving him wet and shaken.
The incident has now been brought to a close.
If you or someone else is in difficulty on the coast or at sea, or if you spot what you think may be unexploded ordnance, then dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Further safety information can be found at https://coastguardsafety.campaign.gov.uk/.
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Where were the parents of these 4 children if members of the public had to join and rescue them
Always good to know the parents were keeping a good eye on there kids
their
The passer by was a god send for the children well done.
No-one watching the ‘kids’ ?
Well done to all involved..and a safe outcome.
Well done to all involved, especially the brave member of the public!
Amazed an over zealous egoed emergency worker didn’t call air ambulance at £3500 a flight to be turned back again. Seems norm now.
I have seen, as a resident of the island, on many occasions, unaccompanied minors (the parents may of been there but it does not say so in this post) turning up on the beach and going into the sea. I am a retired foster carer. This is not something I have seen anywhere else to this level I have noticed and tbh it concerns me. The sea can be a killer and most youngsters would not even think about such things as rip tides, or see other dangers, very concerning. Even if someone went with them to assess safety first. It was so windy yesterday, there’s a clue.
My son called me a bad mum because I wouldn’t let him go to the beach with his friends at age 8. My reply was simple. I’m clearly a better mum than those letting their children go without adult supervision.
I would rather be a bad mum than a neglectful or grieving mum.
Well done to passers by who helped and I hope everyone is ok
Maybe the parents can be charged for the cost of the emergency services being called out for THEIR children.
If the parents are penalised in some way, it might make other parents think before allowing their children to go into the sea without supervision.
This was misreported, it was the parents that went in to rescue the kids. They were being supervised but a riptide turned things very quickly.
This report is not correct, it was the parents of the children that went in to help not random members of the public. They were being supervised but the sea and hidden riptides can turn things very quickly