Moments of great anxiety unfolded on Monday afternoon in the Lady’s Mile area of Limassol when a 3-year-old child, who did not know how to swim, was swept out to sea on an inflatable raft. Four adults who entered the water to rescue the child were also in danger, but the lifeguards’ intervention proved to be lifesaving.
According to the Limassol Lifeguard Unit, the incident occurred around 5:50 p.m., when, according to initial reports, the child’s father was on the beach and the child slipped out of his sight.
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This momentary lapse in supervision was decisive, as the Unit notes, since the strong wind blowing in the area managed to carry the inflatable boat out to sea, with the minor alone on board.
When the father realized what was happening, he and three of his friends rushed into the sea and tried to swim toward the child. During their attempt, however, they became exhausted and began calling for help.
The Limassol Lifeguard Unit (LEM 17 – Lady’s Mile) responded immediately. The lifeguards reached the child and the four adults.
“The lifeguard rescue team headed toward the 3-year-old child, who was alone in the inflatable boat and visibly panicked. The lifeguards managed to reach him, calm him down, and safely pull him out of the water. There, they put a life jacket on him and carefully lifted him onto the jet ski, transporting him back to shore along with the four adults,” adds Monaa.
The lifeguards’ immediate and coordinated response ensured that the operation was completed successfully and that the young child was returned safe and sound to his family.
As the Lifeguard Unit notes, this is the 17th such incident in which the lifeguards of the LEM 17 (Ladys Mile) have been called upon to intervene during the current season.
At the same time, it is particularly worth noting that the rescue operation took place just ten minutes before the end of the lifeguards’ shift, which ends daily at 6:00 p.m.
“The successful outcome of the incident is due to the immediate response and professional training of the rescue teams, who remained on standby until the very last moment of their shift.”
The Limassol Lifeguard Unit urges all parents and guardians to provide constant and uninterrupted supervision of young children, especially during strong winds. As the lifeguards themselves emphasize, a single moment of inattention is enough for an inflatable toy to drift out to sea, putting the child’s life in serious danger.
