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Camber Sands deaths prompt fresh calls for lifeguard station Camber Sands deaths prompt fresh calls for lifeguard station
(35 minutes later)
The death of five men at Camber Sands near Rye in East Sussex have intensified calls for the beach to have lifeguards stationed there. Lifeguards should have been stationed at Camber Sands beach, where five men died on Wednesday, according to local residents who had been petitioning for a summer patrol to be introduced before the accident happened.
Beachgoers and emergency services tried to save three of the men after they got into difficulties in the water on Wednesday afternoon, but they died at the scene shortly afterwards. Two more bodies were found at around 8pm as the tide receded and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and coastguard were searching the sea and shoreline for another person who is still missing. Beachgoers and emergency services tried to save three of the men after they got into difficulties in the water on Wednesday afternoon, but they died at the scene shortly afterwards.
The deaths followed a fatal incident at Camber Sands in July, when Gustavo Silva Da Cruz, 19, died after getting into difficulty swimming there. Da Cruz was one of three men who got into trouble – the two others, who were not connected to him, included a man aged 35 and his son aged 17. Two more bodies were found at about 8pm as the tide receded, and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and coastguard were searching the sea and shoreline for another person who is still missing.
There are currently no permanent lifeguards stationed at Camber Sands beach, and a petition on Change.org set up last month by Josie Holloway, a resident from Greatstone, a coastal town around 10 miles from Camber Sands, has called for them to be stationed there in the summer. Police are trying to identify the men, and sources told the Press Association there was nothing to suggest they were migrants. They also played down suggestions that some of the men were fully clothed.
It is not known if the men were related, and on Thursday there was no evidence that any next of kin were present on the beach at the time of the incident.
The deaths followed another fatality at Camber Sands in July, when Gustavo Silva Da Cruz, 19, died after getting into difficulty swimming. Da Cruz was one of three men who got into trouble – the two others, who were not connected to him, included a man aged 35 and his son aged 17.
There are no permanent lifeguards stationed at Camber Sands beach, and a petition on Change.org set up last month by Josie Holloway, from Greatstone, a coastal town about 10 miles from Camber Sands, called for them to be stationed there in the summer.
The petition has received more than 4,100 signatures and states: “Camber Sands gets unbelievably busy during summer time they have beach patrol but no lifeguards … I feel it could save lives.”The petition has received more than 4,100 signatures and states: “Camber Sands gets unbelievably busy during summer time they have beach patrol but no lifeguards … I feel it could save lives.”
The list of signatories has been growing rapidly since Wednesday’s deaths. One of them, Phillip Meyer, wrote: “I was on the beach today when 5 people drowned, perhaps they would still be alive. I cannot believe that Bottany Bay (a tiny beach around the corner) can have life guards but this beach with 25,000 people on it doesn’t have any!” Holloway told the Guardian: “The reason I started the petition is because the beach gets unbelievably busy, yet no lifeguards are there to prevent people from getting taken out to sea. A lot of people mistake the beach patrol for lifeguards but in fact they are not allowed to go into the water. They are there to help lost kids and situations happening out of the water.
“I think all emergency services did an incredible job and tried their hardest. I just feel if there had been lifeguards it could have prevented a further six people dying. I hope the council take action on this. For example, I’ve heard the money from the car parks goes to the Bexhill De La Warr Pavilion. Why can’t this go towards lifeguards instead?”
The list of signatories has been growing rapidly since Wednesday’s deaths. One of them, Phillip Meyer, wrote: “I was on the beach today when 5 people drowned, perhaps they would still be alive. I cannot believe that Bottany Bay (a tiny beach around the corner) can have lifeguards but this beach with 25,000 people on it doesn’t have any!”
Another, Sara Waterson, added: “Nobody should have died this week on the beach; surely the council could do more?”Another, Sara Waterson, added: “Nobody should have died this week on the beach; surely the council could do more?”
The RNLI said that while it was too early to determine any change in the location of its lifeguards, this was a policy under constant review and Wednesday’s incident would factor into the charity’s planning. Camber Sands was quiet early on Thursday with only a few dozen people on the beach. A member of staff at Antonio’s cafe near the seafront, who has lived in Camber for 46 years, said Rother district council needed to reinvest the tourism revenues into safety features for the beach.
The woman, who asked not to be named, said she did not know how the five people died but the lack of lifeguards was a “disgrace”.
“The council needs to start putting the thousands of pounds of revenue they receive from the village back into saving lives,” she said. “There’s a beach patrol but no lifeguard. The beach patrol focuses on helping distressed parents with lost children. I’d love to know what training they have for things like first aid. I’d be surprised if they had any at all.”
Member of staff at this seafront cafe has hit out at lack of lifeguards on Camber Sands (there are none). pic.twitter.com/8R2LZnCJbk
The RNLI said that while it was too early to determine any change in the location of its lifeguards, the policy was under constant review and Wednesday’s incident would factor into the charity’s planning.
Rother district council did not comment on any future plans for lifeguards but said: “We are very saddened to hear of this incident and our thoughts are with the families of those involved.Rother district council did not comment on any future plans for lifeguards but said: “We are very saddened to hear of this incident and our thoughts are with the families of those involved.
“Our beach patrols have been working with the emergency services at the scene this afternoon and will continue to provide whatever assistance is required.“Our beach patrols have been working with the emergency services at the scene this afternoon and will continue to provide whatever assistance is required.
“While it’s very upsetting to see two similar, tragic incidents this summer, over the years these kind of incidents are extremely rare and on a fine day around 25,000 people use the beach safely.“While it’s very upsetting to see two similar, tragic incidents this summer, over the years these kind of incidents are extremely rare and on a fine day around 25,000 people use the beach safely.
“Our beach patrols are on site throughout the summer and are able to advice people of potential dangers, reunite lost children and deal with any incidents on the beach.” “Our beach patrols are on site throughout the summer and are able to advise people of potential dangers, reunite lost children and deal with any incidents on the beach.”
The RNLI has also urged seaside visitors to take care and respect the water after Wednesday’s incident brought the number of fatalities around Britain’s coastline in the last week up to 12. “The sea may look appealing and the RNLI would encourage people to use it, but do so safely – it can be dangerously unpredictable,” a spokeswoman said. The RNLI has also urged seaside visitors to take care and respect the water after Wednesday’s incident brought the number of fatalities around Britain’s coastline in the past week up to 12. “The sea may look appealing and the RNLI would encourage people to use it, but do so safely – it can be dangerously unpredictable,” a spokeswoman said.
“Please visit lifeguarded beaches and swim between the red and yellow flags – the safe swim zone and the area watched by lifeguards. RNLI lifeguards are always happy to answer any questions or advise of any risks, including where any rip currents may be, which can catch out even the most experienced swimmers.”“Please visit lifeguarded beaches and swim between the red and yellow flags – the safe swim zone and the area watched by lifeguards. RNLI lifeguards are always happy to answer any questions or advise of any risks, including where any rip currents may be, which can catch out even the most experienced swimmers.”