Storm Lilian: Horror wave sweeps child off Cornwall pier | UK | News
This is the terrifying moment a child was swept off a jetty by monster waves whipped up by the tail of Hurricane Ernesto – as Storm Lilian headed towards the UK.
The boy, believed to be no older than 12, was believed to have been alone when he fell into the sea in dangerous conditions on Thursday.
RNLI lifeguards now fear the worst as Storm Lillian brings even more dangerous weather just in time for the August bank holiday weekend – which is often the busiest weekend of the year on UK beaches.
The harrowing incident at Sennen Cove in west Cornwall was caught on camera by Benjamin Elliott – who said it “highlights the danger” waves and the sea can pose. CornwallLive reported.
He said he hoped his photos would serve as a warning to others – and that the young man had been “incredibly lucky” to have escaped injury.
Mr. Elliott said Cornwall Live:”He reached the end before a big wave hit the dock. He decided to run back, but didn’t time his run well and was hit by a second wave.
“This pushed him against the wall of the pier, narrowly missing a violent blow to the head as he fell into the sea wearing a Dryrobe, a fishing rod in his hand and sunglasses.”
Fortunately, passers-by reacted quickly as the tide came in and waves “hit the pier”. Mr Elliot said four men “braved the water” to save the boy.
The boy was described as “incredibly lucky” and could have found himself in a much more dangerous situation had he been swept to the other side of the breakwater, facing multiple waves crashing against him.
Mr Elliott said the boy “was clearly embarrassed by his activity and immature” and claimed he did not stay to thank the men who rescued him.
“He was weighed down by his Dryrobe and he was clearly lucky that other people were there,” Mr Elliott added.
RNLI lifeguards were flying red flags on Sennen beach at the time – a warning sign that indicates dangerous conditions and that swimming is not permitted. It came as the tail end of Hurricane Ernesto bore down on the UK – and Storm Lillian arrived just after the bank holiday weekend.
The region will also experience high spring tides, which will result in extremely high tides in the morning and evening, increasing water movement and the likelihood of tidal breaks – and high waves. The forecast calls for sunshine with strong winds and medium to high waves.
These conditions, combined with the expected influx of visitors to the coast on what is often the busiest weekend of the year, mean the charity’s lifeguards fear the worst.
Guy Botterill, regional manager of the South West Lifeguards, has issued a stark warning ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend.
He said: “We are expecting hot weather and quite difficult conditions this bank holiday weekend and so it is imperative that if you are heading to the coast you follow the RNLI’s advice and head to a patrolled beach where our teams will be patrolling from 10am to 6pm each day.
“If you are going to swim or bodyboard, do it between the red and yellow flags as that is the safest place to do it. We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable weekend on the coast.”
