Parents in kayaks rescued after incident involving child at Anglesey beach

North Wales Live

06-07-2025

Parents in kayaks had to be rescued after getting into difficulty, during an incident involving a child, at Benllech Beach on Anglesey, yesterday (Saturday). Rescuers said the 11-year-old child "was never in difficulty and remained safe and well throughout" as the mum and dad were rescued.
A Moelfre Coastguard statement yesterday (Sunday) said: "At 14:26 today, Moelfre Coastguard Rescue Team were tasked to reports of two kayakers appearing to be in difficulty off the beach at Benllech. As our team made their way to the scene, our colleagues at RNLI Moelfre launched their All-Weather Lifeboat (ALB) on service.
"Additional information soon followed — the first informant was with an 11-year-old child, whose parents were the two individuals in difficulty on the water.
"The ALB crew quickly located and recovered both kayakers. Due to concerns for the wellbeing of one casualty, they were taken directly back to the lifeboat station for further care. We were asked to remain with the child in the meantime.
"Speaking with the child, we learned they had been out kayaking with their mum. While they safely returned to shore, mum encountered difficulty. Dad instructed the child to stay put while he launched his own kayak to assist — unfortunately, both adults were then caught in a strong offshore breeze and unable to return.
"With one person needing medical attention, an ambulance was requested to the lifeboat station, and North Wales Police attended to help reunite the child with their parents."
Molefre Coastguard said in summary: "The child was never in difficulty and remained safe and well throughout. Mum became stuck first, and dad attempted a rescue, resulting in both needing assistance. Thankfully, the first informant made the right call to 999 and asked for the Coastguard, allowing for a swift and safe rescue."
A statement from Molefre RNLI said they had just finished a job, helping to evacuate a sick member from an offshore supply vessel, when they were called to assist.
"Immediately after securing the boat from the first shout, reports came in that two kayakers were in difficulties approximately one nautical mile north of Saint David's. The kayakers had managed to call the Coastguard themselves, having wisely used waterproof pouches to protect their means of communication," the statement said.
"Recognising the urgency of the situation, the decision was made to swiftly re-launch the ALB, which was already on the slip, and she was back in the water shortly after 2:18 pm.
"The ALB made best speed to the position to find one casualty in the water who was suffering from being cold after being in the water for approximately twenty minutes, and started having a panic attack.
"The casualty in the water was lifted out and taken into the wheelhouse of the ALB, where the crew could carry out a first aid assessment. An ambulance was then requested after the casualty stated that she had ingested some seawater. Moelfre CRT were also tasked.
"After recovering the second casualty and both kayaks by 2:30 pm, the ALB returned to the station, allowing the two casualties to be taken into the warm changing room and monitored by our trained casualty care crew members until an ambulance arrived. Both casualties were handed over to the ambulance crew and went to the hospital for further examination."
The Coastguard statement added: "A great result today thanks to fast, coordinated action from all involved. We wish mum a full and speedy recovery. In a coastal emergency, always dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard."