Two people rescued after drifting out to sea on inflatable rings in Blackpool

Two people had to be rescued in Blackpool after drifting out to sea on inflatable rings yesterday evening (Monday, August 30).
The coastguard is now warning people about the dangers of using inflatables in open water. Pic: HM Lytham CoastguardThe coastguard is now warning people about the dangers of using inflatables in open water. Pic: HM Lytham Coastguard
The coastguard is now warning people about the dangers of using inflatables in open water. Pic: HM Lytham Coastguard

Emergency services were alerted at around 7.09pm after concerned members of the public spotted what they believed were two dinghies adrift at sea.

Lytham Coastguard mobilised its volunteers who used a telescope to discover that it was two inflatable rings with one person on each, slowly drifting away from shore.

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Crews from RNLI Blackpool swiftly arrived on scene and helped the freezing pair into the lifeboat.

Lytham Coastguard attended and found two people drifting out to sea on inflatable rings. Pic: HM Coastguard LythamLytham Coastguard attended and found two people drifting out to sea on inflatable rings. Pic: HM Coastguard Lytham
Lytham Coastguard attended and found two people drifting out to sea on inflatable rings. Pic: HM Coastguard Lytham

Upon arrival on dry land, the two people were cared for by Coastguard crews at the boathouse before being passed into the care of paramedics.

The coastguard is now warning people about the dangers of using inflatables in open water.

"We were called out at 7.09pm to reports of persons on dinghies drifting out to sea," said a spokesman for Lytham Coastguard.

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"We quickly arrived on scene and discovered it was two inflatable rings with one person on each.

After their rescue, the two people were passed into the care of ambulance crews to be checked over. Pic: HM Coastguard LythamAfter their rescue, the two people were passed into the care of ambulance crews to be checked over. Pic: HM Coastguard Lytham
After their rescue, the two people were passed into the care of ambulance crews to be checked over. Pic: HM Coastguard Lytham

"RNLI Blackpool arrived on scene shortly after and recovered them to shore.

"Our volunteers then relocated to the boathouse and assisted with medical care until the arrival of North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

"Once they arrived, both casualties were passed into the paramedics care to be checked over.

"Inflatables are NOT for the sea!

"Keep Inflatables for the pool, not open water!"

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