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Children rescued from water by off-duty nurses

Newcastle Coastguard Two ambulances at night with blue light on. A paramedic is standing with two people by a fence and another paramedic is standing by a gate.Newcastle Coastguard
The Coastguard said the nurses "showed remarkable bravery and fortitude" in rescuing the five children from the sea

Five young children were rescued by off-duty nurses after getting into difficulty off a County Down beach on Sunday night.

The Newcastle Coastguard were called to Minerstown beach, near Tyrella, at about 21:30 BST to reports that the children, who are all siblings, had been caught out by the rising tide.

Upon arrival, initial responders found they had been brought to shore by two women who had spotted them in danger.

The children were treated at the scene and taken to a nearby house for warmth while waiting for paramedics before being taken to the Ulster Hospital.

In a statement, the coastguard team said the nurses "showed remarkable bravery and fortitude".

Adding that they calmly brought the three youngest children to shore "before wading out up to their chests in water to rescue the two oldest children".

"The women displayed outstanding courage, ignoring their own safety to ensure the children were not only brought ashore but cared for until the arrival of the emergency services," the coastguard said.