A WARNING has been issued after two men were rescued from “very cold” water after jumping into to rescue their dog that had got stuck.
The men jumped in after noticing the dog could not get out and the tide was dragging it out.
Crews from RNLI Rye rushed to rescue the men, who had scrambled onto a small ledge and were “cold, shivering and had cuts to their legs”.
They were taken back to the lifeboat station to warm up and be checked over.
The dog had been rescue and was safe on the shoreline by the time the RNLI arrived.
Paul Bolton, lifeboat operations manager for RNLI Rye, spoke to both men and said the best thing to do when a dog has got into trouble in the water is to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
He said: “All people should stay on the shore and call their dogs in a calm and reassuring manner.
“Entering the water on a cold day like today when the water was freezing, and the tide was going out, could so easily have ended in disaster.
“The whole process of saving lives at sea today was speedy and professional and the boat crew were supported on this task by Iain and Gary who are tractor drivers and James and Jack as shore crew. Chris King was Deputy Launching Authority.
“Once again team Rye drew on their RNLI training and their own dedication, and the end result was a successful rescue.”
One of the men said: “Our spirits soared as we saw the orange of the RNLI boat coming towards us down the river. The smile the young lady gave me lifted me so much as she helped me on board.
“We know that we were lucky to be saved and cannot thank the RNLI enough for their speedy response to our distress call. We know that they do an amazing job and now we have experienced it first-hand. They have been so kind: a big thank you for everything you have done.”
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