A 17-year-old girl rescued two men who fell from an inflatable toy boat off the coast of the Isle of Skye, guiding them to safety in strong currents, according to the coastguard.
Rescue details
The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon near the village of Elgol on the Isle of Skye. The two men, both in their 20s, had been on an inflatable toy boat when it capsized, throwing them into the water. The teenager, who was nearby on a paddleboard, saw what happened and immediately paddled over to help.
She managed to get both men onto her paddleboard and kept them calm while they waited for help. The coastguard was alerted and a rescue helicopter from Stornoway was dispatched. The helicopter crew winched the men to safety and they were taken to hospital for checks. No serious injuries were reported.
Coastguard praise
A coastguard spokesperson praised the teenager's quick thinking and bravery. "She acted without hesitation and her actions undoubtedly prevented a potentially tragic outcome," the spokesperson said. "The strong currents in the area could have swept the men away if she hadn't intervened."
The rescue took about 30 minutes. The men were described as "very grateful" for the teenager's help. The coastguard reminded the public to be cautious when using inflatable toys in open water, especially in areas with strong currents.
