Safety calls made as six taken to hospital after being caught in rip current in Aberdyfi

Safety calls have been made following an incident which saw six people taken to hospital after getting caught in a rip current in Aberdyfi.

HM Coastguard received multiple 999 calls at around 2.15pm yesterday afternoon reporting eight people in difficulty in the water in the village in Gwynedd.

Aberdovey and Borth coastguard rescue teams, the Aberdovey RNLI lifeboat, the coastguard helicopter from Caernarfon, the Welsh Ambulance Service and two air ambulances were all sent to the scene.

Three people were taken to hospital by the coastguard helicopter, one by an air ambulance and two by road ambulance.

Meanwhile, two other people were checked over by paramedics on scene and did not need to go to hospital.

In the wake of the incident, a local councillor has called on visitors and holidaymakers to be aware of the dangerous conditions which can occur near the mouth of the Dyfi estuary.

Cllr Dewi Owen told the BBC Radio Wales Breakfast programme this morning that the alarm was raised after children were seen struggling in the water by a wind surfer.

He said: “I believe there were two families and the children were swimming in the estuary.

“Luckily, there was a local lad windsurfing nearby and he noticed these children were in difficulties.

“We were told they were caught by the rip tide.

“I believe they were being dragged out to sea but luckily they were saved.

“There were a lot of people on the beach yesterday, but luckily the RNLI station is next to the beach and they were called instantly when the incident happened. Otherwise I’m sure there would have been a tragedy.”

The Visit Snowdonia website encourages swimmers to take care if venturing out into the water due to strong currents around the estuary mouth.

While questions have been raised over whether more signs should be put up to inform tourists about the dangerous conditions which can occur, Cllr Owen said visitors also need to take responsibility themselves.

He said: “It has happened before with this rip tide in the estuary and people coming down here on holiday are not aware of it.

“It is an estuary and there is a flow of water which comes down the river which is more dangerous.

“We could put huge notices up, but would people adhere to them? I doubt it somehow.

“People have just got to be vigilant and be aware of the difficulties which arise when you do go swimming in an estuary.”

Pictures by David Kirk