LOCAL RNLI heroes saved three swimmers in Bude this week after they got caught in a dangerous rip.

Three lives were saved by RNLI lifeguards at Summerleaze beach on Tuesday, August 5, after the three swimmers were spotted struggling in a hazardous rip current near the mouth of the river.

RNLI lifeguards were packing up for the day when Senior RNLI Lifeguard Charlie Barnett noticed some swimmers in difficulty on the left-hand side of the bay. A combination of neap tides and strong surf had created treacherous conditions, with large volumes of water funnelling back into the river forming a powerful rip current.

Charlie, alongside RNLI lifeguards Alfie Turner and Drew Bardsley, responded quickly, heading into the water on rescue boards. The three lifeguards had to battle with the conditions in order to reach the casualties and return them safely back to shore.

Ross Hambley, lead lifeguard supervisor said: “The swimmers were caught in a very dangerous spot. The river at Summerleaze can look deceptively calm and inviting, but during certain tide stages, particularly from 6pm-9pm currently, the rip current becomes extremely strong. Not even the strongest of swimmers would be able to contend with these kinds of conditions. If the lifeguards hadn’t been there, the outcome would have been very different.”

The following morning on Wednesday, August 6, the Bude RNLI Lifeboat launched to an almost identical incident in exactly the same area, due to swimmers being caught in the rip current.

Ross added: ”With small tides and good weather forecast, we are urging beachgoers to stay vigilant when choosing where and when to swim. It is essential that people choose a lifeguarded beach, and stay between the red and yellow flags where our lifeguard teams can keep an eye on you and your loved ones.”

Lifeguards are urging beachgoers to only swim between the red and yellow flags.