In a busy day for the Coastguard crews four children were also reported missing and successfully found
The public were warned to be extra careful when taking to the water in the current hot spell after two girls were saved from a drifting dinghy.
As more people cool off in the sea and inland waters, Newcastle Guard were called into action in Minerstown, Co Down, on Sunday, July 12. The pair had entered the sea in a rubber boat with their dachshund before an offshore breeze blew them further out and into danger.
The alarm was raised by a member of the public who spotted them in distress. Newcastle RNLI were tasked to the scene and found the girls and brought them to safety.
In a busy day for Northern Ireland’s Coastguard crews, four children were also reported missing at Murlough Nature Reserve, near Dundrum, and successfully found.
Tragically in the UK two men died after going into the water at Seaton Carew beach in Hartlepool to try to help two children who had got into difficulty.
Posting on Facebook, Newcastle Coastguard wrote: “Two teenage girls had a lucky escape on Sunday afternoon after being swept out to sea in an inflatable dinghy off the Co Down coast.
“The girls, and a one year-old dachshund, went out in the dinghy off Minerstown just after 1pm but were quickly swept out to sea by a strong offshore wind.
“The girls were eventually spotted by a member of the public who dialled 999 and alerted the Coastguard. Newcastle RNLI went to the girls assistance returning them to Tyrella beach and into the care of Newcastle Coastguard team. They did not require any medical attention.
“The Coastguard would urge members of the public to be very mindful of wind direction and strength if using any inflatable at the beach. Ideally such equipment should be used in a swimming pool.
“The call out was one of three that Newcastle Coastguard team responded to within 15 minutes on Sunday afternoon.
“The team also responded to two separate calls after a total of four children were reported missing at Murlough Nature Reserve, near Dundrum. The children were all successfully located.”
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