Three teenagers blown out to sea on large inflatable ring

The three teenagers were playing on the ring off Par Sands near Fowey when it started to get blown out to sea by offshore winds.

Their father borrowed a paddleboard from the beach and went out to try and rescue them. He managed to get them back to the beach but the Fowey lifeboat was launched by Falmouth Coastguard to ensure everyone was accounted for.

They were tasked with helping St Austell coastguard with first aid treatment on the beach, due to the numbers involved.

The small XP boat onboard the lifeboat was launched and two crew met the coastguard rescue team on the beach.

They checked that the three teenagers and their father were uninjured and no additional first aiders were needed. A fishing boat recovered the inflatable ring and handed it over to the lifeboat crew.

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Fowey lifeboat station coxswain, Jonathan Pritchard warned of the danger of inflatables: ‘Inflatables can be great fun when they’re used safely. But every summer, they’re one of the most common reasons our lifeboat crews and lifeguards are called to action.

“It is vital that people are aware of the risks involved in using inflatables in the water, whether they are dinghies, beach toys or paddleboards. Offshore breezes can quickly push people out to sea. We advise people to check the weather conditions and tide times before venturing out and to be prepared for changes in the weather which can occur quite quickly.

“Choose a lifeguarded beach and use your inflatable close to shore and between the red and yellow flags. Children should never be left unsupervised with an inflatable and never use inflatables in big waves or when the orange windsock is flying. In addition those using paddleboards or indeed any form of small craft should always wear some form of buoyancy aid and carry a means of communication such as a phone or radio in a waterproof bag.’