Girl who was swept out to sea thanks RNLI rescuer

Andy Read swam out fully-clothed to rescue 11-year-old Billie

An 11-year-old girl who was swept out to sea has thanked a lifeboat worker who swam out fully-clothed to save her.

Billie, from Christchurch, Dorset, was paddling with a friend in the shallows at Avon Beach on 19 September when they suddenly got into deep water, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) said.

Mudeford lifeboat helm Andy Read, who was on the beach with his family, reached her within minutes while another man swam to her friend, the RNLI added.

Billie's mother Kate said she tracked Mr Read down through social media after someone saw him walking home in his wet clothes.

In a Facebook post, Kate said: "My daughter and her friend were at the beach with my friend for the afternoon and even though they were only up to their knees in the water they got taken out by an undercurrent/tide.

"My friend jumped in but couldn’t get to them both or fast enough and these two gents ran in fully-clothed and saved our two 11-year-olds' lives."

The girl and her friend were swept out into deep water at Avon Beach, the RNLI said

Billie said: "I felt very scared and I tried to swim back... but then I was really out of breath and really tired.

"I floated on my back to try and get my energy back... and then I was shouting for help."

The 11-year-old, who has learning difficulties that can impact her memory, said she recalled the Float To Live technique from her swimming lessons.

Mr Read said floating on their backs bought the children a few extra minutes of survival time, as he swam about 20m (66ft) to reach them.

He said: "I managed to grab hold of her, reassure her and calm her down and then we made our way out to her friend who had been assisted by another person."

Kate said she had been unable to track down the other rescuer.

She visited Mr Read at Mudeford lifeboat station to thank him and is hoping to raise £500 for the charity through an online fundraising page.