Coastguard crews received urgent reports of the children in serious danger at around 3.45pm on Thursday after the youngsters were swept out to sea while enjoying the sweltering weather
Three children who became stranded at sea on inflatables have been rescued off the Ayrshire coastline.
It comes as 15 people have tragically died in water-related incidents during the recent heatwave.
Coastguard crews received desperate calls reporting the youngsters in grave danger at approximately 3.45pm on Thursday. The children had been making the most of the scorching weather at Ayr beach when they were carried out to sea.
An emergency lifeboat from Troon swiftly crossed open waters to reach the frightened youngsters. It later emerged, however, that Belfast Coastguard had already safely guided them back to shore.
A statement released by RNLI Troon Lifeboat read: “At 3.47pm on Thursday May 28, the pagers were activated by Belfast Coastguard following reports of three children in difficulty on inflatables at Ayr.
“The Shannon class all-weather lifeboat ‘RNLB Roy Barker VI’ was launched to the scene, but thankfully the crew were informed by the Coastguard on route the children were back safely ashore. The lifeboat crew were able to recover the inflatables before returning to Troon where the all weather lifeboat was made ‘ready for service’ with the assistance of the shore crew.”, reports the Daily Record.
There were also several other emergency call-outs across Ayrshire throughout the heatwave this week. Lifeboat crews rushed to assist jet skiers in trouble at Stevenston Point on Tuesday, while paddleboarders were left stranded at Prestwick the following day.
Rescue crews have since urged members of the public to exercise caution while enjoying the warm weather. Troon RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Jim Redmond said: “Following the recent good weather the coast is becoming busier and our advice would be for anyone going out onto the water to please wear a suitable flotation device, check the weather and tides and ensure you have a means of calling for help should you get into difficulty.”
He added: “We would also advise not to use inflatables in the sea – please save them for the pool and if you do see someone in trouble at sea or along the coast, please call 999 and ask for Coastguard.”
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