Cullercoats Bay, North Tyneside – A heart-pounding rescue unfolded yesterday at Cullercoats Bay as RNLI lifeboat crews and lifeguards battled fierce winds to save 18 people trapped in a kayaking disaster.

At 12:30pm Tuesday, an urgent call alerted the RNLI to 32 children and adults fighting for survival in the water. Force five winds whipped up treacherous seas, dragging the group offshore during their kayaking and paddleboarding trip.

RNLI crews from Cullercoats and Tynemouth launched into action. Lifeguards plunged into the churning waves, racing against time to reach the stranded group. Their fearless teamwork turned chaos into a successful rescue.

Of the 32 in peril, 18 were pulled to safety by the RNLI team. The other 14 reached shore just before the lifeboats arrived. Miraculously, no injuries were reported in the harrowing ordeal.

Senior lifeguard Alfie Meeson said, “It escalated so fast, showing how deadly the beach can turn.” He hailed the team’s lightning-fast response in the face of danger.

Lifeguard George Legg added, “Force five winds made it a brutal scene with waves crashing everywhere.” The RNLI’s rigorous training was key to overcoming the crisis.

The RNLI issued a stark warning to beachgoers, urging them to choose lifeguarded beaches and follow the “Float to Live” campaign to survive emergencies.

This daring rescue underscores the RNLI’s vital role in coastal safety, with volunteer crews and lifeguards standing ready to defy the odds in any emergency.

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