Several children were rescued from dangerous rip currents at Tywyn beach in Gwynedd, North Wales, after three men plunged into the sea to save them. The incidents occurred on Saturday, 27 June, towards the end of a hot spell, and have reignited calls for a full-time lifeguard service at the beach, where hazardous currents are described as "not uncommon."
Rescues and Witness Accounts
According to North Wales Live, a witness reported that "four or five" youngsters were brought ashore unharmed during multiple separate incidents. Those who rushed to assist described being "shocked" by the succession of dangerous events. Residents suggested in online posts that without the courageous intervention of onlookers, "we would be looking at another drowning."
One woman posted: "Parents need to keep an eye on their children..... sitting on the beach and oblivious to the danger their children were actually in." Another commented: "Things could have gone very differently today!"
History of Tragedy at Tywyn
The rescues follow a history of tragedy at Tywyn caused by rip tides. In July 2015, a 74-year-old grandfather lost his life while attempting to reach two girls swept out to sea by a rip current. Richard Guest, a former bank manager from Bethel, clung onto one girl until a lifeboat arrived but tragically died. His daughter is among those campaigning for the beach to be "properly lifeguarded."
Three years later, three teenagers were airlifted to hospital after getting into difficulty in the water. That episode triggered a petition demanding lifeguards at the beach, referencing a 2014 RNLI study that highlighted the hazards of a rip current linked to a rock breakwater at the location.
Rip Currents and Safety Measures
Rip currents are strong seaward flows that can quickly carry people from shallow into deeper waters. The RNLI explained: "They tend to flow at 1–2mph but can reach 4–5mph, which is faster than an Olympic swimmer." Tywyn beach appeared calm on the day of the rescues, but residents are demanding improved signage to prevent people from mistakenly believing the water is safe.
On social media, one woman commented: "It's a disgrace that children's lives are being put at risk to save the cost of a couple of signs." The beach does display a small warning about rips, but locals want more conspicuous notices. Red flags are also erected to signal danger, but locals say they are routinely ignored as they are rarely taken down.
