Teenage girl airlifted to hospital after getting into difficulty on West Norfolk coast

A girl has been airlifted to hospital after getting into difficulty off West Norfolk’s coast.

Two other teenagers were also taken to hospital in the incident at Brancaster on Thursday.

And, as rescue officials plead for holidaymakers to be careful by the sea this summer, 10 more people had to be rescued in the area after they were cut off by the tides.

Coastguard officials requested the launch of the Hunstanton lifeboat at around 4pm on Thursday after reports of three teenagers in difficulty off Brancaster.

Lifeboat officials say one of the group was being revived when they arrived before being flown to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Lynn. Two others were also taken to the QEH by road.

Hunstanton lifeboat spokesman Geoff Needham said the incident was the most serious rescue teams had been called to so far this summer.

He said: “We wish the teenagers a speedy recovery.”

Coastguard officials were then alerted shortly before 3pm on Friday to reports of people being cut off by the rising tide at the wreck sands off Brancaster.

The Hunstanton lifeboat was launched and initially located six people.

Another four, plus a dog, were found nearby. All were brought back to shore before being left in the care of Coastguard officers.

The incidents come after three people were rescued from Scolt Head island last week and four others had to be helped to safety by a warden.

The RNLI is running a Respect the Water campaign urging visitors to be aware of the dangers of the sea, particularly local hazards, and have means of calling for help if they do get into difficulty.

Anyone who sees someone in trouble should call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.