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Parents must warn of beach risks Sea rescue boys feared for lives
(about 2 hours later)
The mother of a 13-year-old boy rescued from a cave near Castlerock on Wednesday said children must be taught about dangers at the beach. The teenage boys rescued from a cave near Castlerock have said they were afraid they would die.
"The beach is a great place, but mothers must make your children aware that it is a dangerous place as well," said Pamela Rathfield-Forsythe. Fourteen-year-old Rhys Sufferin and 13-year-old Matthew Forsythe were trapped by a rising tide on Wednesday.
Matthew Forsythe and 14-year-old Rhys Sufferin were trapped in a cave by the rising tide. "It was pretty scary, and dark as well. We thought no one would come and we wouldn't get out, " said Matthew.
The teenagers said they were afraid they would die. Volunteer lifeboat crew member, Anthony Chambers, swam into the cave twice carrying lifejackets for the two boys and brought them both to safety.
"It was pretty scary, and dark as well. We thought no-one would come and we wouldn't get out," said Matthew.
Volunteer lifeboat crew member Anthony Chambers swam into the cave twice carrying lifejackets for the two boys and brought them both to safety.
The boys were then taken to hospital by helicopter where they were treated for hypothermia and shock.The boys were then taken to hospital by helicopter where they were treated for hypothermia and shock.
Matthew Forsythe and Rhys Sufferin explain what happened Rhys said his time in a life-saving course proved vital.
Rhys said his time on a life-saving course proved vital.
"I knew between the wet clothes and wet climate we had to keep warm and do exercise."I knew between the wet clothes and wet climate we had to keep warm and do exercise.
"I thought we wouldn't drown, but would die of hypothermia.""I thought we wouldn't drown, but would die of hypothermia."
The boys, who were in the cave for more than five hours, thanked Mr Chambers for rescuing them.The boys, who were in the cave for more than five hours, thanked Mr Chambers for rescuing them.
"It was brave of him to go in there and get us," said Rhys."It was brave of him to go in there and get us," said Rhys.
"He risked his life to get us out, so thanks a lot," said Mathew."He risked his life to get us out, so thanks a lot," said Mathew.
Gillian Sufferin, mother of Rhys, said she feared the worse when she arrived at the beach after learning her son was trapped and saw the scale of the search.
"It was just pure devastation, you just automatically thought 'We're never going to seen them again'," she said.
"I could not thank those people enough who carried out the rescue. They all put their lives at risk to save our boys. What they do on a voluntary basis is just unbelievable."
'Job well done''Job well done'
Rhys Sufferin and Matthew Forsythe explain what happened
Portrush Lifeboat manager Robin Cardwell said the boys were "lucky".Portrush Lifeboat manager Robin Cardwell said the boys were "lucky".
A rescuer is winched down to the cave
"The water was rising and they were certainly in great danger," he said."The water was rising and they were certainly in great danger," he said.
"Anthony's quick action undoubtedly saved their lives and we are all very proud of him here in Portrush."Anthony's quick action undoubtedly saved their lives and we are all very proud of him here in Portrush.
"He swam in with a lifejacket, got the first boy and dragged him out and went in again and brought out the second boy."He swam in with a lifejacket, got the first boy and dragged him out and went in again and brought out the second boy.
"It was a job well done." "Both, I think, were suffering from hypothermia at that time and I think they were violently sick as well.
"It was a job well done.
The alarm was raised by a woman at about 1720 BST on Wednesday after the boys had not been seen for two hours. They were rescued from the cave at Downhill beach at 2000 BST.The alarm was raised by a woman at about 1720 BST on Wednesday after the boys had not been seen for two hours. They were rescued from the cave at Downhill beach at 2000 BST.
Coastguard spokesman Mark Newell said they had been in "significant danger".Coastguard spokesman Mark Newell said they had been in "significant danger".
"It was a very difficult rescue as there was an incoming tide and the children were actually in the water," Mr Newell said."It was a very difficult rescue as there was an incoming tide and the children were actually in the water," Mr Newell said.
A rescuer is winched down to the cave
The cave is located below Mussenden Temple at Downhill.The cave is located below Mussenden Temple at Downhill.
Mr Newell said sea conditions at the time were quite rough and described the conditions the lifeboat crew encountered.Mr Newell said sea conditions at the time were quite rough and described the conditions the lifeboat crew encountered.
"They were finding it quite difficult to get in close, due to the swell and the waves, and the lifeboat crew had to go into the water to retrieve the boys," he said."They were finding it quite difficult to get in close, due to the swell and the waves, and the lifeboat crew had to go into the water to retrieve the boys," he said.
The boys were brought to hospital by a waiting helicopter.
Mr Newell also said the two children had a lucky escape.
"If the lady hadn't reported it at that stage, we could have been dealing with something far worse," he said.