RNLI Lifeguards Rescue Two Casualties in Separate Portrush Incidents

Monday 7 September 2026

It was the kind of September afternoon when the season seems to be changing by degrees. The summer crowds have thinned, the wind has a sharper edge to it, but the sea has lost none of its capacity to surprise.

RNLI lifeguards use a Rescue Watercraft during a response at Portrush East Strand. Photo: RNLI Lifeguards Northern Ireland

At Portrush East Strand yesterday (Sunday, 6 September), RNLI lifeguards were carrying out Rescue Watercraft (RWC) training in offshore winds when, at approximately 4.30pm, their radio crackled with a call from colleague Cohan Laverty.

A bodyboarder was in difficulty.

The casualty had been caught in a flash rip current and was drifting steadily away from the beach.

Senior lifeguard Hannah Anderson and lifeguard Alex Ostropyskyy immediately returned to shore to collect a responder’s bag, while lifeguard Alice Boyle made her way towards the casualty on her rescue board.

The sea and wind were working against them. Despite Alice’s efforts, the conditions were too strong to bring the bodyboarder safely back to shore by rescue board alone.

Hannah launched the RWC and headed out to meet Alice. At sea, the casualty was transferred onto the craft’s sled and brought safely back to the beach.

There, the bodyboarder was assessed as a precaution to ensure that no water had been taken onboard. Satisfied that the casualty was well, the lifeguards discharged them safely.

There was little time to dwell on the rescue.

Around an hour later, at approximately 5.30pm, the alarm was raised again, this time at Whiterocks Beach.

A walker had slipped on loose rocks near a cave to the right of the beach, sustaining injuries to their hands and legs. The fall had left them trapped in an area that could only be reached safely from the water.

Portrush RNLI, Coleraine Coastguard and the fire service were requested to respond.

RNLI lifeguards Zak Kincaid and Michael Evans launched their Rescue Watercraft and made their way into the cave, while fellow lifeguard Kioni Little maintained communications with the other emergency responders.

Inside the cave, the casualty was safely transferred onto the RWC sled and brought back to the beach, where the local coastguard team was waiting.

Casualty care was administered for the wounds before the walker was safely discharged.

For the lifeguard team, it had been an afternoon in which two very different incidents had unfolded against the same backdrop: the North Coast in September, beautiful and apparently familiar, but still capable of changing the terms of an encounter without warning.

Michael Jess, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor, commended the team following the incidents.

‘This was an eventful afternoon for our lifeguard team both at East Strand and Whiterocks and we would like to commend them for their efforts in ensuring both casualties were brought to safety and we wish both of them well.

‘As we approach the end of the lifeguard season and are now into September, we would like to remind anyone planning a visit to the beach that we are on patrol at the weekends only to the end of the month. Should you visit a beach outside of those times, we would encourage you to check the weather and tides in advance and to always read local signage when you arrive.’

Before setting out, check the weather and tides. When you arrive, take time to read the local safety information and signage. And remember that conditions at the coast can change quickly.