Six people 'caught in rip current' at Aberdyfi taken to hospital

A major rescue operation was launched off the Gwynedd coast on Sunday after eight people were caught in a rip tide.

A lifeboat from Aberdyfi was launched and air ambulance and coastguard helicopters flew to the scene. The beach at Aberdyfi is popular with holiday makers but the Gwynedd coast has been the scene of a number of sea tragedies because of dangerous currents.

HM Coastguard said it received multiple 999 calls at around 14:15 on Sunday reporting several people in difficulty in the water at Aberdyfi.

Aberdyfi and Borth coastguard rescue teams, Aberdyfi RNLI lifeboat, the coastguard helicopter from Caernarfon, Welsh Ambulance Service and two air ambulances were all sent.

"Three people were taken to hospital by the coastguard helicopter, one by an air ambulance and two by road ambulance", HM Coastguard confirmed.

"Two other people were checked over by paramedics on scene and did not need onward transfer to hospital".

Coastguard teams have since been stood down.

The Welsh ambulance service said :”We attended an incident on the beach at Aberdyfi at 14.24. We have flown two people to Bronglais Hospital at Aberystwyth and one to Bangor. We have taken two people by road to Bronglais.”

Their conditions are not yet known but a coastguard source said they are not thought to be life threatening.