RNLI praises brave schoolboy after sea rescue in Cornwall

Keen swimmer and bodyboarder Finley Hassall didn’t think twice about racing to help after spotting a young boy getting into difficulty in the water at Hayle Beach.

Despite living in the landlocked Midlands, 11-year-old Dingle Community Primary School pupil Finley loves the beach and the sea and is a young RNLI Storm Force member.

Finley Hassall pictured at his school. Image - RNLI-Nathan Williams (Image: RNLI / Nathan Williams)

Well up on beach safety, and having read about the RNLI’s float to live technique in its magazines, the quick-thinking schoolboy encouraged the struggling swimmer to stay calm and float on his back like a starfish before help arrived from lifeguards.

Luckily and thanks to Finley’s help, the little boy was returned to shore safely following the incident on June 1.

He said he saw waves going over the young boy’s head and he was “clearly panicking” and he added: “I’d read in my RNLI Storm Force magazine about how to float like a starfish so that’s what I asked him to do. I said I’d done this at my swimming lessons before and it will be fine if he could float on his back.”

Finley’s mum Tara Patel said she was incredibly proud of the youngster’s courage that day while they were enjoying a family day at the beach.

She said: “With pure bravery, Finley swam out to the child and gave him reassurance.

“Finley spoke calmly to the child, and got the both of them successfully back to shore. Finley knew exactly what to do. I think we have a lifeguard in the making.”

The RNLI has also praised Finley’s courage and at an assembly on Thursday July 14 representatives from the charity presented him with a certificate in recognition of his lifesaving efforts.

Finley Hassall was presented with a certificate of thanks by RNLI lifeguard Guy Potter at his school. Pic - RNLI-Nathan Williams (Image: RNLI / Nathan Williams)

Guy Potter, the RNLI lifeguard who was on duty that day, said: “Finley did a fantastic job. Being able to keep a clear and calm head in situations like this is really important. It was great to see his confidence grow as he put together what he’d learnt into a real-life scenario and really make a real difference.”

Finley’s classmates were given a safety presentation to ensure they have the same lifesaving knowledge should they visit the coast this summer; and the RNLI is publicising Finley’s sea rescue story as part of its summer beach safety campaign.

Schoolboy Finley Hassall could be a lifeguard in the making. Pic - RNLI-Nathan Williams

Throughout the summer, the children’s RNLI seaside safety advert will be broadcast on TV to remind coastal visitors to float like a starfish if they find themselves in difficulty in the water.

As schools break-up, RNLI beach lifeguards expect to be extremely busy during the long summer break.

To help beachgoers stay safe – they are urging people to choose a lifeguarded beach and be aware of basic advice to keep themselves and their families safe.

People are advised to swim between the red and yellow flags and to surf between the black and white flags. A red flag means it’s unsafe to enter the water.

Last year RNLI lifeguards aided 11,959 people during the school summer holidays.

Of those, children under 13 were the most assisted age group - with 4,968 helped and 16 lives saved.