Six children taken to hospital in 'mass casualty' incident at beach

Emergency services descended on the scene after several children were seen in 'serious difficulty' in the sea off the slipway.

Two children were rushed to hospital following a "mass casualty" incident at Aberavon Beach in Wales.

A significant rescue operation was launched on Sunday evening after the youngsters found themselves in "serious difficulty" in the sea off the slipway.

Three of the children were saved after coastguards utilised a throw line, while the others were rescued from the water. The coastguard labelled the operation as a "mass casualty" rescue.

Police, ambulance services and local volunteers all played a part in the extensive emergency response.

The victims were pulled from the sea and given emergency care by Coastguard Rescue Officers before being handed over to the ambulance service, reports the Mirror.

The emergency response involved three ambulances. Two of the children were transported to hospital, while the remaining four made their own way there.

A representative from HM Coastguard stated: "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."

Welsh Ambulance released a statement saying: "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."

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.