A person has been branded a "hero" following their quick reaction to seeing someone struggling in water.
Burnham Coastguard Rescue Team took to Facebook last night (October 13) to describe an earlier call-out in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset.
A person was reportedly pulled into a lifeboat by the rescue team after they entered the water along the town's slipway.
The emergency services were first notified about the accident at around 7pm by a "keen-eyed passerby" who phoned 999 and asked for coastguards as soon as they came across the scene.
"While this was happening another member of the public who was out walking his dog saw what was happening and sprang into action, grabbing a throwline from the council-provided box and threw it to the person in difficulty," the coastguard Facebook page explained.
When the coastguard team arrived alongside the RNLI Lifeboat, a "very quick and efficient" rescue unfolded, according to the Facebook page.
A coastguard officer entered the water on a line and swam towards the struggling person, who was then pulled into the lifeboat.
Once ashore, the person was assessed by an ambulance team, while the hovering coastguard helicopter headed back to base.
The coastguard account wrote: "All thanks to the initial call from a member of our community who did an amazing job of calling it in without hesitation and to one of our former coastguard team members who was quick to act with the throwline."
It added: "If you see anyone in difficulty, do the exact thing our community hero did and dial 999 asking for the coastguards. In this weather every second counts and could save a life."
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