Lifeguards rescue 32 people in just five hours on Devon beach
Lifeguards patrolling a busy Devon beach saved 32 people in one afternoon.
Strong rip currents formed on Tuesday afternoon at Croyde beach, with many people requiring assistance in the water.
The team, made up of five lifeguards, rescued 29 people between 1.30pm and 3pm.
A further three people were rescued at around 5.30pm.
Those rescued included 16 body boarders, 10 swimmers and six surfers.
Red and yellow flagged areas had to be moved around the beach dozens of times.
Lifeguards conducted most of the rescues on rescue boards.
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Lifeguards positioned a truck at a dangerous area of the beach to prevent people from entering the water where conditions were unsafe.
Lead lifeguard for North Devon, Matthew Whitely, said: "Josh Simpson - our senior lifeguard at Croyde - deserves real credit for working so hard and leading such a strong lifeguard team in difficult conditions.
"The whole team worked together to keep people safe and they did a great job.
"Visiting the beach is an ideal activity during the summer but we always advise people to visit a lifeguarded beach so that if something does go wrong, help is at hand.
"When visiting Croyde in particular, please have a quick chat to the lifeguards when you arrive at the beach to find out about the hazards as there are often challenging conditions.
Also make sure you read any signs the lifeguards have positioned on the beach - they are there for a reason."
