When a teenage boy found himself caught in a tidal backwash, his friends watched in horror – could anyone reach him before it was too late?

On 7 September the 13-year-old was playing with his friends along Browns Bay promenade at Whitley Bay, when he decided to jump into the sea – something he quickly regretted. Strong winds across the bay were driving waves against the promenade and creating a strong backwash. As the boy struggled in the swollen sea, 15m from the promenade, panic quickly set in. He could not get back to shore.

Realising he was in danger, his watching friends dialled 999 and the Coastguard alerted Cullercoats lifeboat volunteers. Within minutes, the lifeboat crew prepared to launch their Atlantic 85 lifeboat Hylton Burdon.

Helmsman Peter Clark took the wheel, with Crew Members Andy Small and Curtis Dunn aboard – Curtis was the youngest member of the crew at 17 years old. Peter knew speed was of the essence: ‘Browns Bay is notorious at high tide for its dangerous sea swells,’ he explains.

Meanwhile, a local surfer saw the teenager struggling in the water and went to his aid. The surfer used his board to keep the boy afloat, but could not get him to shore alone. The boy was clinging on, exhausted and cold.

As the lifeboat crew approached, they realised how close the young men in the water were to the rocks. This would make reaching them aboard the inshore lifeboat difficult and dangerous in the shallow confused waters. Crew Member Curtis Dunn jumped into the sea and swam through the choppy water towards the boy and the surfer with a rope. He attached the rope to the surfboard, allowing Peter and Andy to reel the boy towards them and pull him aboard.

While the surfer managed to return to shore with his board, Peter powered the lifeboat back towards Cullercoats. Curtis kept the boy warm with a windproof covering until they reached the lifeboat station, where paramedics assessed him. The boy was deemed fit and well and was soon reunited with his friends. One of those friends – a teenage girl who saw the rescue unfold – has since visited the lifeboat station several times and has vowed to join the crew. Peter Clark says: ‘We were very lucky in this instance – we got the boy to safety with help from the surfer. And we managed to inspire a future crew member to help us save more lives at sea!’