Trapped by the tides

Visitors to beach warned after 'near-drowning' as incoming sea catches out unwary

- By ANDREW FORGRAVE Countryside and Tourism Editor

SWIMMERS, paddlers and walkers are being reminded of the dangers of the Conwy estuary and its fast-flowing tides.

It follows seven lifeboat call-outs over the past three days, including one to a "near drowning" drama.

Many of the incidents involved holidaymakers stranded on sandbanks off Llandudno's West Shore beach.

Dramatic photos posted online showed people marooned far out in the estuary completely surrounded by fast-rising water.

On Saturday afternoon (August 16) Conwy's RNLI lifeboat was tasked to Conwy Morfa Beach on the opposite side of the estuary after a woman got into difficulty in the water.

An air ambulance touched down on the beach so that a helicopter doctor could assess the casualty.

Paramedics, Coastguards and North Wales Police were also called to the scene.

An Conwy RNLI spokesperson said: "Our lifeboat transported the casualty - along with medical equipment and a paramedic - back to the boathouse for onward transfer to an ambulance.

"She was then blue-lighted to hospital."