Child rescued from rip current at Aberavon Beach in coastguard’s third call-out of the day
The incident unfolded on the smaller side of the beach, where three children had entered the water. According to a statement shared by Port Talbot Coastguard, one child was caught in a rip current while two others were seeking help.
“Our dedicated volunteer team was tasked for the third time in one day,” the Coastguard said in a statement. “Responding alongside Porthcawl Coastguard to reports of three children in the water on the small side of Aberavon Beach.
“Upon arrival, one child had been caught in a rip current with another two seeking help. A member of the public entered the water and successfully brought the children to shore just as Coastguard Rescue Officers arrived on scene.”
No injuries were reported, but the incident has prompted renewed calls for public awareness about rip currents — fast-moving channels of water that can quickly carry swimmers away from the shore, even in calm conditions.
Aberavon Beach is patrolled by RNLI lifeguards during the summer months, typically from May to September, with specific dates and times varying each year. The lifeguard station is located on the promenade in front of the Port Talbot Lifeboat Station, and patrols usually run daily from 10am to 6pm during peak season2.
The rescue comes just weeks after a coroner’s report into the death of 15-year-old David Ejimofor, who drowned at Aberavon in 2023 after jumping from the breakwater. The coroner found that the presence of a lifeguard might have made a difference and called for improved safety measures at the beach.
With the school holidays beginning, the RNLI and HM Coastguard are urging visitors to:
- Swim only at lifeguarded beaches and between the red and yellow flags
- Avoid inflatables in open water
- Check tide times and weather conditions before entering the sea
- Call 999 and ask for the coastguard in an emergency
The RNLI’s Float to Live campaign also encourages anyone caught in a rip current to stay calm, float on their back, and signal for help.
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