LIFEGUARDS have rescued a group of 17 people after a “flash-rip” off Bournemouth beach this afternoon.

RNLI lifeguards were monitoring the red and yellow flagged area on Bournemouth Pier shortly before 1pm today when they noticed a large group of people in the sea on the east side of the beach.

Due to the number of people within the group, one of the lifeguards paddled out on a rescue board to speak to the group and offer advice.

As the lifeguard was paddling over to the group, a current known as a flash-rip started to form, and the group were swept out to sea.

The lifeguard immediately made his way over to the group and assisted six casualties onto the rescue board while calling over to his colleagues for assistance.

Within minutes, nine lifeguards assisted the group. All 17 casualties were taken safely back ashore using rescue boards and a rescue water craft.

RNLI lifeguard supervisor Ethan Fox said: “Today’s rescue was a great team effort by the RNLI lifeguards, with every member of the team working together to assist all members of the group to safety.

“It’s very unusual for a flash-rip current to develop in this area, but when they do form they develop quickly. Thankfully the group were well prepared and had followed the charity’s advice by swimming between the red and yellow flags – this is the area that’s closely monitored by the lifeguards throughout the day.

“If this would have happened outside the flags, the lifeguards would not have been able to respond so quickly and assist the large group safely back to shore.”

For safety information, visit: rnli.org/beachsafety