Updated: 16:07, 2 September 2022 Three men were rescued by local swimmers in a dramatic rescue at Sea Palling Beach. The men in their 20s had been caught in a wave among the rocky reefs when they were seen struggling yesterday afternoon, September 1. A couple from Poringland were on the beach celebrating their 21st anniversary when they spotted the men in the water. “We were walking down the ramp with our fish and chips when we saw them swimming between the rocks,” said Jamie Parslow-Williams, a lecturer at UEA. “When we heard them shouting, we knew it was not good. “There were three other swimmers in the water – Tony Webb, Chrissie Ward and Sarah Farrow – who had already made their way out as we called the emergency services. “I think the guys on the riptide were really lucky – they had three strong swimmers helping them and people with proper first aid training waiting for them on the beach.” The three men who were rescued were trapped in a stream between two rocks – Credit: DENISE BRADLEY/Archant2021 Mr Parslow-Williams, 48, is a former first responder and his wife Kirsti, 44, is a midwife. “One of the guys got out on his own and crawled onto the beach,” he said. “When Tony and Chrissie finally got the other two guys to shore, they were hypothermic and showing symptoms of secondary drowning – when someone inhales water during a near-drowning. “Then the emergency services arrived – Coastguard, Sea Palling lifeboat, ambulances and the air ambulance. “Tony told the man he rescued how close he had come – that if he couldn’t get him out soon he would have to leave him there. “He said: ‘Either we both would have died or one of us would have died. “It just goes to show how dangerous it is to swim on these rocks even for highly skilled swimmers. The water is so strong out there. Air ambulance, ambulance, Coastguard and lifeboat crews were called to the rescue – Credit: Jamie Parslow-Williams “When we were helping treat one of the kids, I said to him, ‘You know what you’re going to do tomorrow? Put a nice big donation in an RNLI box.” “That made him laugh a little and made us all feel better. “It was all down to Tony, Chrissie and Sarah. They deserve all the credit. They put their lives on the line to save these guys.” One of the rescued men was taken to James Paget Hospital in Gorleston for treatment. Sea Palling Lifeboat said: “Three men got into difficulties trying to return from fishing on one of the open shore reefs. “Some local very experienced swimmers bravely entered the sea and pulled the men ashore. “We strongly urge beachgoers not to climb on, attempt to swim on, or swim near the rocky reefs. “There is fast moving water in these areas and across the sand as it heads out to sea and it can be strong. “This has been a great multi-agency effort and we would like to thank everyone involved.”
