Teenager rescues two men who fell from inflatable toy boat off Isle of Skye | Scotland
A 15-year-old boy rescued two men who fell off an inflatable toy boat off the Isle of Skye with his own boat, leaving behind the lifeboat that went to the scene.
Teenager Archie Law attempted to rescue a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) volunteer crew on Saturday evening after the UK coastguard received reports of “two males experiencing difficulties in the water” off Broadford Bay at around 9pm.
The RNLI launched a lifeboat from Kyle of Lochalsh station within 10 minutes of the distress calls and made “best speed” towards the last known location of the two men, who were last seen in what rescuers described as a “toy inflatable boat”.
On the way there, the crew was told that 15-year-old Archie, who lived in the area, had spotted the men in distress and set out in his own boat to help them.
The crew later discovered that Archie had managed to save both men and got them safely back to shore.
After determining that everyone affected by the incident was safe and that no injuries had been sustained, the lifeboat returned to the station to be cleaned, refueled and made ready for service.
To talk Radio SkyeArchie said he noticed the men were in trouble from inside his home: “I could see them from my window and they were paddling in circles in the bay, getting farther and farther away.
“I decided to go and check if they were okay. As I got closer, I saw that it was a small children’s boat.”
“They looked very cold and tired and were grateful for me to see them. I took them back to the small dock and they were greeted with towels and warm clothing.”
Kyle RNLI manager Andrew MacDonald praised the youngster for his quick thinking. He said thanks to Archie’s determination “a much more serious situation was prevented”.
He added: “We want to remind people that inflatables should be stored in swimming pools and not in open water, and to make sure you always have life jackets and a means of contacting emergency services if you encounter any difficulties.”
A record-breaking heatwave is expected across the UK this week. It is known that at least 15 people died after getting into trouble in the open sea during the hot period in May.
Even in warm weather, the sea remains cold enough to trigger cold water shock all year round; this can lead to uncontrollable breathing and increased heart rate, potentially leading to panic and suffocation.
RNLI water safety manager Ross Macleod said: “Anyone who finds themselves in danger in the water should fight the instinct to panic and ‘swim to live’ – try to relax and swim on their back, head tilted back, moving their hands and legs slightly to help them stay above water. This gives you valuable time to get your breathing back under control before calling for help or swimming to safety.”
