Jersey lifeguard saves five people in 20 minutes

The RNLI reminded people to always choose lifeguarded beaches in summer

A lifeguard in Jersey carried out five rescues in 20 minutes due to people being dragged out by flash rip currents.

The RNLI said the lifeguard team at St Ouen decided to extend their shift on Sunday evening due to the large volume of people at the beach and "flash rip currents forming across the bay".

The single lifeguard involved was patrolling the ocean on a rescue water craft.

The charity helped nearly 600 people last year across the Channel Islands, with lifeguards in Jersey responding to 332 incidents on its beaches, helping 434 people.

The lifesaving charity said large volumes of beachgoers were "inevitable in the summer" and advised everyone to choose a lifeguarded beach.

It said: "The majority of lifeguard incidents involve rip currents.

"While they can be difficult to spot, they are sometimes identified by a channel of churning, choppy water on the sea's surface."

The RNLI said if people did find themselves caught in a rip:

• Do not try to swim against it - people will become exhausted

• If anyone can stand, wade, do not swim

• Swim parallel to the shore until they are free of the rip

• Raise their hand and shout for help

People are advised to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard if they suspect someone is in difficulty.