In June 2023, Danny Blacklock and Jane Blacklock, who both hold their National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ), were off duty when they were called upon to help a man and young child in difficulty in the water at Mersea Beach in Colchester.

The emergency services were called upon when the alarm was raised and Danny and Jane who are part of Mersea Beach Lifeguards, also gave their support in an attempt to rescue the father and son. The West Mersea RNLI Lifeboat and local UK Coastguard Team also attended the scene along with Mersea First Responders, the Ambulance Service and the Essex Air Ambulance team.

The father was pulled from the water but despite the efforts of all of those involved, sadly the man later died in hospital. The young boy who was towed to the beach by an assisting member of the public was also taken to hospital and has since made a good recovery.

Danny and Jane were sent a certificate from the Royal Life Saving Society UK to acknowledge their rescue efforts.

Mersea Beach Lifeguards are a voluntary club and are often looking for local members to allow them to expand the days and hours they can cover.

Find out more about Mersea Beach Lifeguards

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