Busy week for lifeguards in extreme temperatures

Holidaymakers need help in record heat

Devon's lifeguards have been unusually busy over the last few days, with the extreme temperatures leading to many people flocking to the coast.

Multiple incidents of extreme medical episodes, heatstroke and stranded paddleboarders have been thrown the coastguards way, with the heat heavily affecting many holidaymakers. 

Overall, 16 paddleboarders have been saved over the last few days across Devon, with incidents in Teignmouth, Croyde, Woolacombe and Westward Ho! The combination of heat exhaustion and off-shore winds proved too much for these paddlers, who were lucky the lifeguards had been told to pay close attention due to the weather warning. In Teignmouth alone, six paddleboarders were swept out the river mouth and were saved by the RNLI.

Croyde was particularly affected, as lifeguards also had to provide emergency medical care for two boys ages five and 17, both suffering medical episodes, as well as a number of beach-goers suffering from heat-stroke.

The heat isn't only affecting humans though. An out-of-control jet ski off the coast of Exmouth threw off its occupants and sped away, but then ran aground without harming anything other than itself. Multiple windsurfers, kite surfers and swimmers also had to be rescued in Exmouth, after they became stranded on a sandbar.