Lifeboat launched following reports of missing child at Benone Beach this afternoon

Portrush Inshore Lifeboat was requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard this afternoon (Sunday) to reports of a missing child at Benone beach.

The launch request was received at 2.09pm and the ILB launched at 2.21pm in perfect sea conditions. The crew were on scene at 2.41pm.

The volunteer crew along with RNLI Lifeguards, HM Coastguard and Irish Coastguard vessels based at Greencastle (CG Bravo and CG Delta) conducted a search along the stretch of water where the child was last seen. Fortunately, the child turned up on the shore at 3.07pm

However, on the way back from this shout the ILB was diverted to Benone beach to assist with a person who had collapsed. The doctor on our volunteer crew assisted the Coastguards to assess and treat the casualty at 3.40 pm.

Wesley Moore Launch Authority at Portrush RNLI said: “This has been the fourth shout in 24 hours for our crew and call for a missing child is always a call our volunteer crew dread to receive.

“At this time beaches are busy, and children can very quickly wander off. We would ask that you supervise children closely, take a picture of them when you arrive at the beach, so if the worst happens you can give an accurate description to the coastguard and our crews. Our lifeguards are now back on the beaches are happy to advise about wind and tides which can change very quickly.

“Both outcomes were good and something our crew train for on a regular basis, with our interagency partners. We hope both casualties recover quickly from their ordeal.

The ILB and her volunteer crew arrived back on station at 4.15pm.”