FOUR PEOPLE HAVE were rescued in Co Wicklow after getting into trouble at a beach yesterday evening.

The rescue by lifeboat and coast guard members took place at Silver Strand beach south of Wicklow Head at 5.30pm on Sunday, with the RNLI responding when the alarm was raised.

The RNLI said that two men who were on the beach with their families were concerned about two young swimmers’ safety and entered the water to help them. They managed to get them up onto rocks near the beach.

The two youngsters were on an inflatable toy and had gotten into difficulty.

“Conditions at the scene were wind north easterly force four with moderate sea,” a statement said.

“The inshore lifeboat crew took the four people from the rocks and transferred them to the all-weather lifeboat which was standing by offshore. ‘Rescue 116’ stood by overhead as the casualties were transferred to the lifeboat.

“The winchman was lowered onto the lifeboat to carry out a medical assessment on the four casualties. The two young girls were then transferred to the Coast Guard helicopter and flown to Dublin Airport, where they were met by an Ambulance crew and brought for further medical attention.”

The two men, who had rescued the two girls, did not require any further medical assistance and were brought back to Wicklow harbour for a hot drink at the lifeboat station after their quick intervention to help the young girls.

Speaking after the callout, Wicklow RNLI Press Officer, Tommy Dover said: “The quick actions of the two swimmers who went to the aid of the young girls resulted in a positive outcome this afternoon and we would urge people not to use inflatable toys on the beach.”