AN off-duty lifeguard has been hailed a hero after rescuing a teenage boy after he got into difficulty when bodyboarding in Portrush.
Conard McCullagh, a senior RNLI Lifeguard on the Causeway Coas,t was cycling back from the North West 200 in Portstewart at around 2pm yesterday when he spotted two teenagers on bodyboards in the water at Portrush West Strand.
Because he was familiar with the beach and dangers of the water at Black Rocks - which is prone to rip currents - Mr McCullagh immediately went to their parents who were on the shore, warning them the pair were too far out in the water and advising them to wave the teenagers back in.
The RNLI said while the 15-year-old girl managed to paddle her way in, the 13-year old boy struggled, signalling he couldn't get back because the water was sucking him out fast.
Mr McCullagh immediately ran and got a rescue board from the RNLI Beach Lifeguard Unit and managed to pull the child from the water to safety.
Karl O'Neill, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor praised the rescue.
"I would like to commend Conard who wasn’t on duty this afternoon but used his RNLI skills and training to remain vigilant, spot the danger and go straight to the family when he suspected the teenagers may be in trouble," he said.
"This rescue serves as a reminder to us all that while we may be experiencing some good weather we still need to respect the water.
"It is a sunny warm day and the water appears calm and everything looks good on the surface but the reality is there is a lot going on underneath and the water can be very dangerous.
"The current the boy was bodyboarding in was simply too strong to paddle against. Thankfully, Conard was able to go to the boy's assistance today and we would like to wish him well following what must have been a frightening experience for him."
RNLI lifeguards are on patrol from 11am-7pm at weekends on Benone Strand, Portrush West and East Strands, Whiterocks and Portstewart.
They will take up full time daily patrol for the summer on Saturday June 25.
The RNLI advise that anyone planning to go into the water swims between the red and yellow flags at a lifeguarded beach and avoids using inflatables in strong winds or rough seas.
Lifeguards can be contacted on 909 or 112. Ask for the Coastguard.
