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Line incidents

Line problem between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot.
Train services are being disrupted due to poor weather conditions between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot. Short notice alterations and delays of up to 15 minutes can be expected.
Last Updated: 09/10/2010 18:55

Service incidents

19:50 Paignton to Exeter St Davids due 20:36
This train has been cancelled. This is due to poor weather conditions.
Last Updated: 09/10/2010 17:06

GIRLS SWEPT FROM SEA WALL AT DAWLISH

Coastguard Rescue Teams, a Coastguard Helicopter, lifeboats, a Police Helicopter and an Ambulance were all tasked by Brixham Coastguard this evening to the rescue of two girls who were swept into the sea from the sea wall at Dawlish.

At 6.45 pm Brixham Coastguard received reports that two girls were screaming and shouting for help from the sea after being swept from the sea wall. The girls had been swept about 20 yards out into the rough seas, and one girl was in significantly more difficulty, with the other helping to keep her afloat.

Brixham Coastguard requested Teignmouth and Exmouth lifeboats and Coastguard Rescue Teams attend, along with launching the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter from Portland. A Police helicopter also proceeded and an ambulance was called.

Easterly winds, spring tides and high water made the rescue conditions difficult, but both girls were recovered into the Exmouth Inshore lifeboat and brought ashore into Exmouth dock. Both were met by the ambulance and taken to hospital.

Brixham Coastguard Watch Manager Dave Scullion said:

These two girls are incredibly lucky, and owe their lives to the quick thinking of a group of boys on scene who threw them a buoy to keep them afloat, and to the lifeboat crew who effected a difficult rescue in challenging conditions.

Both girls ^ one 15 years old and the other 16 ^ were taken to hospital by ambulance. The older girl has been released but the younger girl is being treated for secondary drowning [1] and will be kept in intensive care overnight.

Spring tides result in tides that are higher than usual, and in these conditions members of the public should keep a safe distance away from the shore.

'Space hopper' saves drowning girls in Devon

A 'space hopper' type toy has helped save two teenage girls who were swept out to sea in Dawlish, east Devon.

The toy - like a large, heavy rubber balloon with handles - was thrown to the pair, aged 15 and 16, when they were too far out to reach a life buoy.

The girls managed to grab it and use it as a float to reach the life buoy before being rescued by lifeboat crews.

Coastguards, police and the ambulance service were also involved in the rescue on Saturday evening.

The teenagers, who have not been named, were swept off a sea wall and dragged about 18m (59ft) out to sea at about 1830 BST.

A group of young men heard their screams, grabbed a life buoy and ran along the wall to throw it to them but it would not reach.

Then a neighbour came out with the inflatable toy and that was thrown into the sea.

Leigh Jarratt, one of the rescuers, said: "We were just trying to scream to them to swim to the life buoy. To be honest the only thing that saved them was one of my other neighbours, Shane, he brought out a space hopper. Matt, with a brilliant throw, managed to get it right next to the girls and they managed to get hold of the space hopper for a long enough time to be able to get hold of the life buoy. The space hopper saved the day."

Brixham Coastguard co-ordinated a rescue involving Teignmouth and Exmouth lifeboats and coastguard rescue teams.

A coastguard rescue helicopter from Portland, Dorset, and a police helicopter were also scrambled, along with an ambulance.

The girls were taken to the Royal Devon & Exeter hospital, where the younger one was treated for secondary drowning - a condition where water has entered the lungs and can result in the casualty drowning several hours later if fluid in the lungs impairs the breathing process.

She was kept in overnight. Her current condition is not known.

Brixham Coastguard watch manager Dave Scullion said: "These two girls are incredibly lucky. They owe their lives to the quick thinking of a group of boys on scene who threw them a buoy to keep them afloat and to the lifeboat crew who effected a difficult rescue in challenging conditions."

Girls swept into sea off Devon describe ordeal

Two teenage girls who were rescued after they were swept into the sea off Devon have described their ordeal.

Hannah Woolacott, 16, and Charlotte Wright, 15, from Exeter, were swept off the sea wall at Dawlish on 9 October. They were rescued by a lifeboat crew after passers-by threw them an inflatable 'space hopper' toy to hold on to.

Earlier the girls visited Exmouth Lifeboat Station to thank their rescuers.

Miss Woolacott said: "We had missed the train and so were walking along the Dawlish sea wall, which we had done many times before. It was quite calm but then, all of a sudden, there was a large wave that swept Charlotte into the sea and a second one that got me straight after."

The girls, who were both described as strong swimmers, were unable to reach the shore because of the strong current and weather conditions.

Giles White, the lifeboat's helmsman, said: "We had one shot at it as the waves were rebounding off the sea wall. We just had to take it."

Miss Wright, who suffered secondary drowning in the incident, said: "I couldn't remember the [lifeboat crews'] faces very well as I was drifting in and out of consciousness. We are just so grateful. If it weren't for people like this risking their lives to save ours, we wouldn't be here today."