The HM Coastguard has raised awareness of its ‘Don’t Drink and Drown’ safety campaign following the rescue of two young people from the sea at Whitley Bay early on Sunday October 16.
Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade and Cullercoats RNLI were called out to Whitley Bay, North Tyneside by Humber Coastguard on Sunday morning around 2.40am to assist a 19-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman, who were reported to have been washed off the sea defences at the sound end of Whitley bay. It was reported that waves crashed up to around 20 feet, breaking off the sea defences.
Ryan, from Humber Coastguard, said: “On arrival there was a lot of swell due to the horrendous weather conditions.
“People visiting a coastal area should not take up any coastal activities under the influence of alcohol.”
The ‘Don’t Drink and Drown’ campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of drinking alcohol near water. This campaign warns the public who have too much to drink to be aware of the dangers along cliffs, coastlines and beaches.
A statment from the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade said: “After liaising with their colleagues from the Police and Ambulance service, it was established that the male casualty, who was extremely drunk, had been swept into the water with five of his friends attempting to rescue him, but all ending up in harm’s way.”
On arrival, both the man and woman had managed to make their way back to shore safely and were not in a serious condition. All five of his friends and the woman, who was swept in whilst trying to assist, were helped out of the water.
Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade are urging the public to keep their distance from the water’s edge when waves are breaking and to avoid coastal areas when consuming alcohol.
Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade is called to a number of accidents throughout the year. To date, there has been a total of 113 incidents. Humber Coastguard is based in East Yorkshire, and coordinates the majority of the call outs along the North East coastline of England.