Late night swimmers rescued

COASTGUARDS have warned people not to go swimming at night after two women were rescued from Inganess Bay, in Orkney, in the early hours of Sunday.

Shetland Coastguard was alerted at just before 2am and immediately tasked the Kirkwall lifeboat and the Sumburgh based search and rescue helicopter.

Volunteers from the Kirkwall Coastguard rescue team were the first to arrive at the scene.

A rescue swimmer swam out 70 metres before reaching the casualties who had been in the water for 40 minutes.

Both were brought ashore where they were met by waiting paramedics and transferred to Balfour Hospital, in Kirkwall.

Andy Graham of Shetland Coastguard said: “I would advise against people entering the water at night; the sea may look calm but strong currents can cause hidden dangers.

“You should always check tidal conditions and when possible swim at a beach where a lifeguard is present.

“The Coastguard rescue swimmer who went into the water should be praised for his bravery, without him the rescue tonight could have easily had a very different outcome.”