Child saved from sea by Maryport thanks to onlookers' 'quick thinking'

Whitehaven Coastguard said they were part of a multi-agency mission yesterday (August 1), which also involved Maryport Rescue, Workington Lifeboat, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, Cumbria Constabulary, and the Northwest Ambulance Service (NWAS).

The report was of a child in difficulty in the water off Maryport North Pier and came in at 7.39pm, according to Maryport Rescue.

A spokesperson from Maryport Rescue said: “Quickly arriving we observed the other young children had collected a life ring and thrown it to the casualty and were starting to recover their friend to the North Pier, shortly afterwards they had pulled the young person to safety.

“What a great example set by these young people and an excellent outcome, well done they actually called it in as well.

“School visits and station visits seem to be working well.”

Workington Lifeboat said they were called at 6.30pm and that the 999 call described a child being stuck in the sand near the pier.

A Whitehaven Coastguard spokesperson said last night: “The actions of these people calling 999 for the coastguard and throwing a lifebuoy, undoubtedly gave a positive outcome of this incident.

“With the current hot weather, we are seeing an increase in water-related incidents, both here in Cumbria and also wider afield.

“Sadly, not all of these have had a positive outcome like this evening.”

A life ring (also called a lifebuoy) is a buoyant, ring-shaped safety tool which is used to help someone who is struggling to stay afloat and is at risk of drowning.

Lifebuoy (Image: Jude Mack)

It can be life-saving, hence its name, and in an emergency situation, it should be thrown or lowered to the casualty with a throw line attached.

Then, the rescuer can pull the casualty, who should be holding the ring, to safety.

In some more dire situations, more assistance by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) or other emergency services may be required.

Lifebuoys are found in many places, almost always next to bodies of water like ricers, marinas, ports, harbours, ponds, lakes, reservoirs, beaches, streams, and other places like farms, quarries, and building sites.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service said it is currently supporting HM Coastguard in their Coast Clever campaign, which is raising awareness of safe behaviours around changing tides, mud, cliffs, and offshore winds.

For more information about staying safe on the coast, visit https://hmcoastguard.uk/coast-clever