RNLI lifeguards rescued five people from the rip current at Bantham Beach over the weekend, including two children.

The RNLI lifeguards are now finished patrolling our beaches until next year, but they finished their jobs with an impressive rescue on Halloween.

As people made the most of the mild weather at the end of half term, lifeguards at Bantham spotted two children, on bodyboards, and three adults drifting out to sea. They were in large surf and surrounded by submerged rocks. The family had split into two groups and were heading out to sea.

The lifeguards responded to the group in most danger first, picking up the two female adults and child, before returning them safely to shore in the Inshore Rescue Boat or IRB. They then proceeded immediately back out to sea where they rescued the second child and assisted the adult male back to shore.

Paul Gunning, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor, said: ‘The group were shocked at how quickly the current had taken them into danger and the children involved were very upset.

‘We reassured the group and made sure they did not require any medical assistance following the incident, before giving advice on the conditions and hazards at the beach.’

The rescue came at the end of a busy day for the lifeguards at Bantham who also came to the aid of a swimmer, a father and son, and a surfer who were caught in rip current in separate incidents.

With the 2015 lifeguard season now finished, Steve Instance, RNLI Senior Lifeguard Manager, is keen to remind anyone heading to a beach to put safety first.

He said: ‘While we can expect our beaches to be generally quieter in the coming months, many will take advantage of the unseasonably mild weather at the moment and good surf conditions.

‘In the absence of RNLI lifeguards during this period, we would encourage anyone going to the beach to take note of the safety signage at the entrance to the beach, check weather and tide times, let someone know when you are due back, and carry a means of communication.

‘If you see someone in trouble, please call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. People can also get advice at their local RNLI lifeboat station.’ You can contact Salcombe RNLI on 01548 842158 or visit their website: www.salcombelifeboat.co.uk.