Dozens of children in sea rescue

The RNLI praised lifeguards (l-r) Adam Pitman, Coral Lewis and Jon Johnson

Three dozen children aged 12 to 15 and four adults have been rescued from the sea at Tenby in Pembrokeshire.

Three lifeguards involved in the rescue of about 40 people were hailed as heroes after the group fell into the sea when a raised sandbank collapsed.

The RNLI lifeguards patrolling Tenby South Beach had already spotted the group before they got into trouble and went into immediate action.

They rescued the group using rescue boards and fluorescent buoyancy aids.

'Swept away'

Six of the people involved in the accident had their lives saved by the lifeguards' rapid use of first aid, the RNLI said.

An RNLI spokeswoman said one person suffered from a "hypothermic asthma attack" and another from "hypothermic secondary drowning".

The rescue happened at about 1600 BST at a sandbank known locally as the White Back.

They found themselves in the sea becoming out of their depth in what are treacherous waters RNLI spokeswoman

"They were walking along the long sandbank which as the tide comes in liquefies and gets swept away," the spokeswoman said.

She said the tide suddenly changed and the group were swamped in sea water.

"They found themselves in the sea becoming out of their depth in what are treacherous waters," she said.

Lifeguards Adam Pitman and Jon Johnson entered the water with rescue boards and tubes, and brought the individuals safely to shore.

Meanwhile lifeguard, Coral Lewis, who was also on patrol at the time, radioed the Coastguard, the spokeswoman said.

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