Tenby RNLI crew meet with rescuee Lilly Evans and her family

A Welsh family have been reunited with Tenby RNLI volunteers who saved their daughter after she was swept a mile out to sea whilst paddleboarding during the summer holidays.
On Thursday, December 5, David, Kiki and Lilly Evans visited Tenby Lifeboat Station to bring festive cheer and thank the volunteers who saved Lilly’s life earlier this year.
It was a summer’s day, Saturday, July 30, when the Evans family headed to Pendine Beach to enjoy the evening.
14-year-old Lilly was paddleboarding in the shallows when the wind picked up and began to blow her out to sea. In a state of panic, her dad David entered the water to try to reach his daughter whilst her mum Kiki called 999 and asked for the Coastguard.
Lilly was swiftly being blown further out to sea, David tried to swim after her but was unable to reach her.
David said: “I was shouting out to her to come back in and she was screaming that she couldn’t. I was in pure panic when I realised I couldn’t get to her. I looked back at my wife, who was on her knees screaming.”
HM Coastguard tasked Tenby RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat to the scene, and the crew located Lilly a mile offshore.
Lilly was helped onboard the lifeboat and checked over before the crew safely returned her to her family who were waiting on the beach.
Kiki, Lilly’s mother said: “When the lifeboat arrived, we couldn’t even see Lilly as she had been blown so far out to sea.
“It was the longest wait of my life, not knowing if Lilly was alive. Somehow, she managed to stay on the paddleboard, I think a few people were looking down on her that day.
“Hearing that the lifeboat crew had her and that she was safe, it was an indescribable feeling.
“Lilly says she couldn’t have held on much longer. We’re so grateful for the opportunity to be reunited with the crew. We can’t thank the RNLI enough for saving Lilly’s life.’
Dan Thomas RNLI Deputy Coxswain at Tenby RNLI said: “We’re all so pleased to see the Evans family before Christmas. At this time of year, it means so much to see the impact our lifesaving work has on families like the Evans.
“If you spot someone in difficulty in the water, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard, just as Lilly’s mother did. That quick action can be the lifesaving difference.
“Without that 999 phone call and our crew launching the lifeboat on July 30, the outcome could have been very different. Thank you to everyone who supports and donates to our lifesaving charity. We can’t save lives without you.”
David will be running both the Newport and London Marathons to raise funds for the RNLI.
His Gofundme page has already received more than £2,000 in donations. It can be found at: https://gofund.me/27de8c2c
To make a donation to the RNLI’s Christmas Appeal visit: RNLI.org/WinterAppeal