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Lifeboat man saves boys from cave Lifeboat man saves boys from cave
(about 4 hours later)
A volunteer lifeboat crew member has been praised for saving the lives of two children, who became trapped by the tide in a cave near Castlerock.A volunteer lifeboat crew member has been praised for saving the lives of two children, who became trapped by the tide in a cave near Castlerock.
Lifeboat mechanic, Anthony Chambers, swam into the cave twice carrying lifejackets for the two boys and brought them both to safety.Lifeboat mechanic, Anthony Chambers, swam into the cave twice carrying lifejackets for the two boys and brought them both to safety.
The boys, 13 and 14, were then taken to hospital by helicopter where they were treated for hypothermia and shock.The boys, 13 and 14, were then taken to hospital by helicopter where they were treated for hypothermia and shock.
Portrush Lifeboat manager Robin Cardwell said the boys were "lucky".Portrush Lifeboat manager Robin Cardwell said the boys were "lucky".
"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.
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"Both, I think, were suffering from hypothermia at that time and I think they were violently sick as well."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."It was a job well done.
"He (Anthony) is from a very strong lifeboating tradition and he knows the dangers of the sea very well."He (Anthony) is from a very strong lifeboating tradition and he knows the dangers of the sea very well.
"I also want to thank the other eight volunteer lifeboat crew that responded to the callout.""I also want to thank the other eight volunteer lifeboat crew that responded to the callout."
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 caveA 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.The boys were brought to hospital by a waiting helicopter.
Mr Newell also said the two children had a lucky escape.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."If the lady hadn't reported it at that stage, we could have been dealing with something far worse," he said.