5 dramatic seaside rescues on Norfolk coast this summer

Th sweltering summer has drawn more people to beaches and with the county hit by multiple heatwaves, emergency crews have faced an increased risk of water-safety incidents

Here are five of the most dramatic incidents reported so far this summer.

1. Brothers caught in fast-moving tide

The sea off Hunstanton (Image: Newsquest/ Chris Bishop)

Two brothers were pulled from the Hunstanton sea after getting into difficulty on August 14.

Two women and a man helped get the boys out of the water, including Caroline Robb, who felt she had to save one at the detriment of the other.

RNLI volunteers gave the pair oxygen after they were left exhausted, while a coastguard helicopter paramedic also attended.

2. Teen left in hospital after beach emergency

The East of England Air Ambulance assisted Wells and Sheringham Coastguard Rescue Teams with a "very unwell" swimmer (Image: Wells Coastguard Rescue Team)

A teenage girl was taken to hospital after becoming unwell while in difficulty in the water on August 4.

The East of England Ambulance Service, RNLI lifeguards, Wells RNLI boat and shore crew, East Anglian Air Ambulance, and Wells & Sheringham Coastguard teams all attended the scene.

The Anglia One Air Ambulance crew accompanied the patient to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn for further treatment and care.

3. Paddleboarders stranded off Brancaster

The National Coastwatch Institution at Brancaster (Image: National Coastwatch Brancaster)

A paddleboarding outing came close to tragedy when two young adults fell from their boards around 400 metres off Brancaster beach and were unable to get back on.

The National Coastwatch Institution contacted the coastguard, which dispatched the RNLI hovercraft and a Coastguard Rescue Team to the scene.

Around 10 minutes later, an adult woman from the same group entered the water and swam out to help.

She reached one of the boards and began towing it towards shore, with the two paddleboarders holding on.

The coastguard was informed that the individuals had returned safely to the beach and the responding rescue crews were stood down.

4. Yacht disabled in busy shipping lane

Gorleston and Great Yarmouth Lifeboat was called to rescue a 38ft yacht that got into difficulties (Image: Great Yarmouth & Gorleston Lifeboat)

RNLI volunteers towed a 38ft Lucy J yacht to safety after it was unable to move, around half a mile offshore, with no wind to sail clear of the shipping lane.

Gorleston and Great Yarmouth lifeboat crews were tasked to the job on July 16, after being alerted to the vessel that had issues with its propeller.

Recognising its precarious position in a busy shipping lane, the crew quickly decided to tow it to the nearest safe and suitable port.

A crew member was sent on to the yacht to rig a towing bridle and assist the skipper with steering.

The lifeboat towed the Lucy J to Lowestoft, switching to an alongside tow off Ness Point to enter the harbour.

5. Person cut off by the tide

They were guided to safety at Sutton Bridge Marina (Image: Hunstanton RNLI)

Hunstanton RNLI volunteers were called on August 17, to help someone cut off by the tide at the Outer Trail Bank.

The team, working with the coastguard, managed to reach the person and guide them safely to Sutton Bridge Marina.

After medical checks, it was found that the individual was safe and well.

Following the incident, the RNLI reminded people who are planning to visit the coast to take precautions.