**Holiday Heroics: Strangers Rescue Girl Swept Out to Sea on Rhyl Beach**
A family holidaying on the Welsh coast was marked by drama and gratitude after a young girl was pulled to safety by two quick-thinking strangers, following a harrowing incident at Rhyl Beach. The terrifying event unfolded just before midday on Sunday, when seven-year-old Shylah Malcolm was carried out to sea by a strong current while playing on an inflatable float.
Moira Malcolm, a 33-year-old mother from Manchester, had travelled to North Wales with her parents, her three young children, sister-in-law, and niece, hoping to enjoy the summer sunshine. The group, like many families that weekend, had brought inflatables for the children, eager to make the most of the heatwave at one of Wales’s popular beaches.
The beach adventure soon turned to panic, however, when Shylah drifted dangerously far from the shore, trapped by a rip current. The young girl was accompanied by her aunt in the water at first, but Moira—who remained on the beach with her younger sons, Calden (2) and Cabe (1), and her three-year-old niece Jayce—quickly realised the situation was out of control.
Recounting the ordeal, Moira described her daughter’s fear and the helplessness she felt on the shore. “She was on a large inflatable with her aunt when the current took her,” Moira explained. “My sister-in-law couldn’t reach her, and by the time I understood what was happening and handed my sons to my mum, two men had already rushed into the sea, risking their own lives.”
With her daughter’s screams audible from the rapidly receding float, Moira faced an agonising race against time. “She ended up falling off and I was frantic, knowing I might not reach her before she went under,” Moira said. She watched as the two strangers swam hard against the tide, struggling but determined.
Despite visible exhaustion and their own peril, both men managed to reach the frightened girl just before tragedy struck. Their bravery prevented what could have been a devastating outcome for the Malcolm family. Overwhelmed with relief and emotion, the family offered hurried thanks but were too shaken at the time for further conversation.
Afterwards, Moira expressed deep gratitude, acknowledging that the actions of these men had saved her beloved daughter’s life. “We owe them so much more than words can say. Our whole family is forever grateful,” she emphasised. She also shared her hope that the men would receive wider recognition for their courage.
In an effort to connect with her rescuers, Moira and her family posted a message on social media tracing the men who intervened. The call quickly reached Ben Malone, who identified himself as one of the heroes. “I managed to reach her first, but could not have brought her back without the other man,” Ben shared in response. “I’m relieved she’s safe. I have children myself, and I’d hope someone would do the same for them.”
The incident has prompted renewed warnings about the dangers of riptides and inflatables at the seaside, especially during busy holiday periods. While Rhyl East beach retains its Seaside Award, local authorities continue to urge visitors to be cautious in the water, particularly where currents are unpredictable.
Authorities and beach safety experts underline that even on award-winning beaches, conditions can change rapidly, with inflatables posing increased risks on open water. The event also spotlights the vital impact that ordinary people can have in emergencies, demonstrating both the dangers of the sea and the courage found in acts of selfless bravery.
For the Malcolm family, their holiday will be a lasting reminder that everyday heroes walk among us—ready to answer the call when crisis strikes.