Lifeguards rescued a three-year-old child and four adults off Lady’s Mile in Limassol on Monday after strong winds swept the toddler’s inflatable out to sea.
The rescue took place at around 5:50pm, just ten minutes before the Limassol Lifeguard Unit’s shift ended at 6pm. It was the 17th such incident the unit has had to respond to at Lady’s Mile so far this season.
The child, who could not swim, had been on the beach with their father. They briefly wandered out of the father’s sight, according to the lifeguard unit.
Strong winds blowing in the area pushed the inflatable out to sea with the child alone on board.
As soon as the father realised what had happened, he went into the water with three friends and tried to swim out to the child.
The men grew exhausted during the attempt and began calling for help.
Rescuers from the Lady’s Mile lifeguard unit, designated Unit 17, responded and reached the child and the four adults. The child was found alone on the inflatable and was visibly panicked, the team said.
Lifeguards calmed the child, fitted a life jacket, and brought them back to shore by jet ski.
No one was injured, and the child was returned to their family.
The Limassol Lifeguard Unit appealed to parents and guardians to keep constant supervision of young children, particularly when strong winds are blowing in the area, warning that even a momentary lapse in supervision can have serious consequences.
