A SENIOR lifeguard has warned of the dangers of not calling for help if you see someone caught in strong river currents.

Ryan Jennings also advised against trying to be a hero after a boy was rescued off the beach in New Brighton - along with the man who tried to save him - by a lifeguard jetski on Easter Sunday.

The boy had run into the sea off Plateaux beach at 12.50pm and got into trouble when he was caught in a strong current. The man ran in to help, but was also caught in the rip.

A lifeguard immediately spotted the two in trouble and ran into the water to their aid.

They were rescued, taken back to New Brighton beach on the water craft and given first aid treatment until the paramedics arrived.

Thankfully neither were hurt but the young boy was taken to hospital as a precaution whilst the man walked away unharmed to continue his day on the beach.

Ryan Jennings, who is the RNLI's lead lifeguard supervisor, said: "The lifeguards on both Plateaux and New Brighton beach did a fantastic job on Sunday and undoubtedly saving two lives by working together as one team.

"If you find yourself or anyone else in trouble please raise your hand and call for help.

"It's very important that you don't try and attempt the rescue yourself – as hard as this can be, we don't want to risk you getting into trouble too.

"If you see someone in trouble out on the coast outside of the lifeguarding hours phone 999 and ask for the Coastguard."

A member of the public who saw the incident contacted the Globe. She said: "The child was about six to seven, and got caught in the water as it was coming in.

"A man swam out to him and managed to keep hold of him till the lifeguard swam out and another on a jetski to rescue them."

She described the man who rescued him as a hero.