Rescue drama after boy, 11, swept out to sea in dinghy

AN 11-year-old boy was rescued yesterday after winds swept his dinghy more than half a mile out to sea.

The youngster, dressed only in a T-shirt and shorts, was treated in hospital for cold and shock after being rescued by a lifeboat.

Forth Coastguard was called at 2:30pm after two boys began drifting offshore on two dinghies at Leven beach in Leven, Fife. One boy made it back to safety, but the other was blown out to sea.

A spokesman for Forth Coastguard said: "We had a report the two dinghies started drifting out to sea when they were around 100 metres out.

"The boy was rescued three-quarters of a mile offshore and approximately one mile east of wind turbines in the lower Largo area. By 3:30pm, both were safely ashore.

"Dinghies should always be secured to the shore. They were extremely lucky. This could have quite easily have been a fatality."

Steve Higgins, the watch manager at Forth Coastguard said: "Although a rope was attached to the small dinghy, it was allowed to drift out to sea and once the wind took control of the dinghies their rate of drift out to sea increased dramatically.

"We're advising all parents and carers to be very, very careful when allowing youngsters to play in Li-los or dinghies. Make sure you listen to the weather forecast before heading to the beach and keep a careful eye on your children at all times."