Scots beach-goers watched on in horror as two kids were seen being blown out to sea on an inflatable.
The incident unfolded on Thorntonloch Beach in Dunbar, East Lothian, on Saturday as the country sizzled in scorching temperatures.
It's understood the children's mum tried desperately in vain to swim out to them and stop the inflatable blowing out to sea.
Emergency services raced to the incident after a 'work vessel' reportedly picked up three casualties in the water.
A spokesperson for Dunbar Coastguard said: " Dunbar Coastguard, RNLI Dunbar Lifeboats and Scottish Ambulance Service were tasked to assist a work vessel that had recovered 3 casualties from the Thorntonloch area.
"The casualties had been blown out to sea In an inflatable boat.
"Once the casualties were given the all clear by the ambulance service, the team returned to station. We would also like to thank the CNC police and the OH nurse from Torness for the assistance."
One eyewitness took to Facebook following the incident to warn people about the dangers of inflatables.
He said: "PLEASE be careful with your inflatables.
"Today one of our caravan park residents saved the lives of a mum and her two children. The inflatable with the two kids on board was being blown out to sea and the mum was unsuccessfully trying to swim out to them.
"If it was not for immediate action from Thorntonloch Caravan Park we could have been watching a very sad news story on tonight's TV.
"Thanks to the coastguard and the windfarm work boat, Celtic Guardian, we have a very happy ending. If the wind is blowing OFF the beach please don't chance it, keep the inflatables out of the water."
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