Child rescued after being blown out to sea on paddleboard in North Berwick

A child and two adults were rescued by a lifeboat after being blown out to sea on a paddleboard in North Berwick.

The alarm was raised at 4.32pm on Wednesday after a group of three children, who had been paddleboarding close inshore, were taken out to sea by strong offshore winds which were gusting up 40 mph.

Two of the children made it safely ashore unaided, while two adults attempted to reach the remaining child in danger.

North Berwick RNLI’s volunteer crew launched SUNIJO, the charity’s D-class lifeboat, and rescued one child and two adults on one paddleboard, having drifted approximately 800m from their launch site.

The casualties were transferred to the lifeboat station where they were checked over by members of the Scottish Ambulance Service and monitored in the warm and dry until they were discharged.

Helm of North Berwick lifeboat, Fraser Fulton said: “This was a very serious situation, thankfully with a positive outcome. Offshore winds can be deceiving and can very quickly take you away from safety.

“The water around North Berwick is cold, even in summer, if you fall into the water it will be a shock and you will get cold very quickly, potentially losing coordination in your arms and legs and finding it difficult to swim.

“If you’re heading out on the water on a paddleboard, check the forecast and avoid offshore winds. Always wear a buoyancy aid, carry a waterproofed means of calling for help and wear your leash.

“A paddleboard is much easier to spot and can help you stay afloat so stay with it. In any coastal emergency dial 999 and ask for the coastguard. We thank those who alerted us to this incident which allowed us to respond so quickly.”