Young girls rescued after playing on rocks at coast

Young girls rescued after playing on rocks at coast

24 February 2021

MEMBERS of Newcastle Coastguard team went to the assistance of two young girls who got cut off by a rising tide as they played on rocks in front of Royal County Down Golf Club last week.

The father of one of the girls entered the water and waded out to the children before taking them up into the golf course where they were met by members of the Coastguard team.

The children and their father were then transported back to Downs Road car park to the rest of their family.

Coastguard volunteers who responded to last Wednesday’s incident have thanked Royal County Down groundsmen who guided team members through the golf course to meet up with the man and young girls.

The Coastguard says there are some very high tides along the coastline at the moment and with people walking longer distances on the beach during the pandemic, it is easy to misjudge things and get cut off.

If this happens, people are advised to get as far up into the dunes or as high up a bank as possible and dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

The emergency response to last Wednesday afternoon’s incident was co-ordinated by Belfast Coastguard Operations Centre.

Newcastle RNLI was requested to help when the alarm was raised after the young girls got cut off by the tide last Wednesday.

Members of the Newcastle’s crew responded to the incident and were ready to launch in their all-weather Mersey class lifeboat when it was confirmed that the girls had been safely returned to shore.

Newcastle RNLI said rising tides can easily catch people out and, that very often people, are unaware they are in potential danger until they are cut off or stranded, praising the young girls last week for doing the right thing and raising the alarm once they knew they were in difficulty.

RNLI helmsman Niall McMurray has also remind walkers and visitors to the beach to always check the tide times and heights and keep a look for incoming tide so they can make sure they have enough time to return safely. 

“Always carry a means of communication and always let someone on the shore know where you are going and when you are due back. If you are in danger or see someone else in danger of being cut off by the tide, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.” he added.