**Emergency Response Launched After Distress Calls from Swimmers at Ogmore Beach**
A large-scale emergency response operation unfolded at Ogmore beach in the Vale of Glamorgan on Saturday night, after reports emerged of individuals in apparent distress in the water. Witnesses at the popular Welsh coastal location described a significant presence of emergency services, including South Wales Police, the Welsh Ambulance Service, the coastguard and lifeboat teams dispatched from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
Eyewitness accounts conveyed a tense atmosphere as a helicopter was seen hovering above the shoreline, with its searchlight sweeping the dark waters and flashing lights from emergency vehicles illuminating the beach. Reports suggest that at least two people had found themselves in difficulty offshore, triggering urgent rescue efforts.
One woman at the scene shared that she had distinctly heard panicked cries for assistance from the direction of the sea. She said she believed the calls came from individuals who had been separated from a vehicle, possibly swept away by the incoming tide. The incident reflects the unpredictable and potentially hazardous conditions that can develop quickly on the Welsh coast, especially during periods of extreme weather.
Thankfully, those involved were later confirmed to have made it safely ashore. The RNLI lifeboat crews, after assisting the distressed swimmers, were subsequently redirected to help tackle a second emergency involving paddleboarders struggling in similarly treacherous conditions off nearby Newton. All individuals involved were brought to safety, underlining the vital role played by volunteer rescue services in such perilous circumstances.
Saturday’s crises arrive in the wake of several recent incidents in the area, highlighting an upsurge in call-outs for local rescue teams. Only two days prior, Porthcawl’s RNLI volunteers were dispatched to five separate incidents over the course of just a few hours. Four of these involved paddleboarders, many of whom had underestimated the strength and unpredictability of tidal currents in the Bristol Channel.
Mike Cinderby, RNLI launch authority, offered a stark reminder of the risks. “Nearly all of the launches on Thursday were to paddleboarders,” he stated. “At least three were to people struggling in strong tidal currents, who had to be brought back to land by our lifeboats. The area is especially dangerous at present, owing to the spring tides that accelerate the flow and power of the water.”
The RNLI continues to urge the public to take extra precaution before venturing into the sea. “Always check conditions and tide times using reliable sources, such as the Met Office, before you set out,” Mr Cinderby added. He also warned that the unusually high spring tides currently being experienced in the channel can increase the risk of beachgoers being cut off or caught in fast-moving currents.
With temperatures soaring to 33.1°C in some parts of Wales—the hottest ever recorded since July 2022—beaches have been attracting crowds keen to cool off in the sea. The RNLI has renewed its advice for swimmers, promoting the “float to live” approach if caught in difficulty: tilt your head back, relax, breathe steadily, and use gentle movements to stay afloat until help arrives or you can make your way to safety.
If others are seen to be in trouble, the public are urged not to enter the water themselves, but instead to call emergency services, instruct the person to float, and throw them something buoyant if possible. Authorities emphasise the importance of rapid communication with rescue services, directing anyone witnessing such incidents to dial 999 or 112 and ask specifically for the coastguard.
This latest episode serves as a clear reminder of both the beauty and dangers of the Welsh coastline, and the vital need for awareness and respect for the sea’s power. The quick response from local emergency personnel ensured a positive outcome this weekend, but officials continue to caution all those heading to the water to remain vigilant, prepared, and informed to stay safe.