RNLI lifeguards in Portrush came to the rescue of a bodyboarder caught in a rip current and a walker trapped in caves at the Whiterocks – within the space of an hour.

Senior lifeguard Hannah Anderson and lifeguard Alex Ostropyskyy were on patrol at Portrush East Strand around 4.30pm on Sunday, September 6, carrying out Rescue Watercraft (RWC) training in offshore wind conditions, when they were radioed by colleague Cohan Laverty to inform them that a bodyboarder had got caught in a flash rip current and was drifting out to sea.

Alice Boyle, the fourth lifeguard on patrol, immediately made her way to the casualty on her rescue board. Despite attempts to bring the casualty to safety by rescue board, the wind proved too strong and Hannah on the RWC, made her way out to meet Alice where the casualty was transferred onto the sled and brought safely back to shore.

A casualty assessment was carried out as a precautionary measure to ensure no water was taken onboard, before the bodyboarder was safely discharged.

RNLI lifeguards rescued a bodyboarder who got caught in a flash rip current off Portrush East Strand while further along the coast, lifeguards came to the aid of a walker who slipped and fell down loose rocks and got trapped at a cave off Whiterocks.

placeholder image — RNLI lifeguards rescued a bodyboarder who got caught in a flash rip current off Portrush East Strand while further along the coast, lifeguards came to the aid of a walker who slipped and fell down loose rocks and got trapped at a cave off Whiterocks.

Meanwhile, at Whiterocks Beach at approximately 5.30pm, a walker raised the alarm after they slipped and fell on loose rocks at a cave to the right of the beach, injuring their hands and legs. The casualty became trapped in an area only accessible by water.

Portrush RNLI, Coleraine Coastguard and the NI Fire and Rescue Service were requested to respond.

RNLI lifeguards Zak Kincaid and Michael Evans responded on their Rescue Watercraft and made their way into the cave while fellow lifeguard Kioni Little maintained communications with the other emergency responders.

The casualty was safely transferred onto the sled and brought safely back to the beach. The lifeguards were met at the beach by the local Coastguard team and casualty care was administered to treat the wounds before the casualty was safely discharged.

Michael Jess, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor 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.”

The public is reminded that RNLI lifeguard beach patrol season finishes at the end of September.