A MAJOR beach rescue saw a teenage swimmer saved by a volunteer RNLI lifeguard at Whitmore Bay, Barry Island, moments before he went underwater.

The teenager was one of two who got into difficulty and went out of their depth swimming near Nells Point at the eastern end of the beach on Tuesday, August 18..

RNLI lifeguards were alerted to the swimmers in danger at about 12.45pm.

RNLI lifeguard Rhydian Price immediately went to the area and paddled out on a rescue board.

One of the teenagers had managed to return to shallower water by the time he got to the scene, but the second had taken on water and was close to going under.

He was brought onto the rescue board and returned to the beach.

HM Coastguard had called for the assistance of Barry Dock RNLI lifeboat and the all-weather lifeboat and the boarding boat were tasked to the scene.

The boarding boat and a volunteer crew member from the all-weather lifeboat, who is also a paramedic, landed on Whitmore Bay and assisted with the two casualties, along with the lifeguards and HM coastguard.

Both casualties were made comfortable and then assisted into the Rescue 169 helicopter from Chivenor and taken to Cardiff’s University Hospital of Wales.

RNLI lifeguard manager Stuart Thompson said: “This incident highlights the importance of always swimming in the red and yellow flagged areas at lifeguarded beaches, where our fully trained lifeguards are on hand to provide safety advice and assistance.

“Whitmore Bay was extremely busy today and swimming in the flagged area maximises the ability of lifeguards being able to respond to people needing assistance as quickly as possible.”

The Barry Dock RNLI lifeboat and its volunteer crew were later called to help a second person in difficulty at Aberthaw beach at 1.22pm. It was on scene at 1.38pm.

It was discovered that the person was fishing and in no immediate danger of being stranded as the tide was outgoing.

The lifeboat returned to station at 2.06pm and was ready for the next shout at 2.30pm.