POLICE were called to help lifeguards deal with a man after he had a medical episode in the sea at Redcar.
The man was seen in the sea at high tide at around 5.15pm on Saturday evening, close to the RNLI lifeguards hut next to the Redcar Beacon.
Initially it was reported that the casualty had become aggressive towards the lifeguards however the RNLI has since said it had been found the man had a medical episode.
The lifeguards managed to get the man from the water and onto the esplanade as the lifeboat crew was assembling.
He was becoming unresponsive at times and an ambulance was called.
A spokesperson from Redcar RNLI said: "It is reported that alcohol may have been involved. The RNLI’s message is always 'don’t drink and drown'.
"Fortunately he was on the stretch of beach protected by our lifeguards. Otherwise this could have had a much more serious outcome."
Two other men were also seen in the sea at about the same time.
They were given blankets by the RNLI but did not require medical attention.
The RNLI reports that around one in eight coastal deaths in the UK involve alcohol, and it is a contributing factor in many more water-related incidents. It is known that alcohol can seriously impair a person’s judgement, reactions and ability to swim.
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