Child rescued by RNLI after dinghy drifted out to sea

A child was rescued by the RNLI after her dinghy drifted out to sea off Kinmel Bay in Wales on Bank Holiday Monday.

The incident coincided with the lifeboat service launching its beach safety campaign as the weather gets hotter - with the charity anticipating an extremely busy summer as coronavirus restrictions lift.

"We are expecting this summer to be the busiest ever for our lifeguards and volunteer lifeboat crews,’" said the RNLI’s Head of Water Safety Gareth Morrison.

"We want people to enjoy the coast but urge everyone to respect the water, think about their own safety and know what to do in an emergency.

"Our main advice is to visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags. RNLI lifeguards will be patrolling around 245 beaches this summer to offer advice on how to stay safe and they are also there to help anyone who gets into trouble.

"Coastal areas provide a great opportunity to enjoy fresh air and open space but they can be an unpredictable and dangerous environment, particularly during early summer when air temperatures start warming up but water temperatures remain dangerously cold, increasing the risk of cold water shock."