Waving swimmer mistakenly thought to be in distress at Blackpool

Blackpool RNLI and Lytham Coastguard volunteers were called out this afternoon after receiving reports of a person in difficulty opposite Blackpool Tower.
By Richard Hunt
Published 11th Jul 2021, 18:22 BST
Updated 11th Jul 2021, 18:50 BST
Blackpool RNLI were involved in a rescue this afternoonBlackpool RNLI were involved in a rescue this afternoon
Blackpool RNLI were involved in a rescue this afternoon

But it turned out that the swimmer was not in distress and their waving was misinterpreted by a concerned member of the public.

Lytham Coastguard stated on its Facebook page: "We were called out at 13.56 to reports of a person in the water waving for assistance across from Blackpool Tower

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"Ourselves and Blackpool Beach Patrol arrived on scene and located the person, who was not in any distress.

"We urge people to only wave for assistance in a genuine emergency!"

RNLI Blackpool were also tasked and were stood down just as they were launching.

HM Coastguard Fleetwood were also tasked but were stood down on route.

Related topics:Blackpool TowerFacebookRNLIFleetwood

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