The coastguard has detailed how a group of young children were rescued from the sea at around 8.30pm on Sunday
11:58, 25 Aug 2025Updated 12:28, 25 Aug 2025
The coastguard were alerted to the incident by a member of the public(Image: John Myers)
Two children were taken to hospital by ambulance and four others needed treatment after a major rescue was carried out at a popular Welsh beach. Coastguards were in charge of the rescue operation off Aberavon Beach on Sunday evening.
The rescue teams said the children were in “serious difficulty” in the sea off the slipway and described it was a “mass casualty” rescue. Three were rescued using a throw line, and the others were rescued in the water. The huge emergency services operation involved police, ambulance and local volunteers.
It saw the casualties rescued from the sea and Coastguard Rescue Officers carried out emergency care before transferring the children to the care of the ambulance service. Stay informed on everything Neath Port Talbot by signing up to our newsletter here.
Three ambulances were sent to the scene and two of the children were taken to hospital with the other four making their own way there.
A spokesperson from HM Coastguard said: “HM Coastguard was tasked to co-ordinate the rescue of children in the water at Aberavon Beach yesterday, 24 August, at around 8:30pm.
“Port Talbot RNLI Lifeboat, Port Talbot and Porthcawl Coastguard Rescue Teams, Welsh Ambulance Service and South Wales Police were on scene.
“Port Talbot Coastguard Rescue Team rescued the children from the water and provided first aid until the Ambulance arrived.”
A statement from Welsh Ambulance read: “We were contacted yesterday (24 August) at approximately 8:33pm, to reports of an incident on Aberavon beach, Port Talbot.
“We sent three emergency ambulances and one operations manager to the scene.
“Two patients were conveyed to hospital for treatment with a further four patients making their own way to hospital.”
Port Talbot Coastguard said their rescue teams entered the water “without hesitation” after recognising the escalating danger and said they wished all the casualties a speedy recovery.
The rescue was the team’s third water rescue of the water, meaning nine lives have been saved to date.
A warning has also been issued to people visiting a popular Welsh seaside resort this bank holiday after huge waves knocked people over, sweeping them onto boulders and causing injuries.
Volunteer lifeguards said people need to “take extreme caution” when visiting Rest Bay in Porthcawl over the coming days due to the huge waves and strong currents expected.