A total of eight people were pulled from the water after they were caught in a rip current off the coast of a popular beach in north Wales, the ambulance service said.
Five people were taken hospital after they were rescued by emergency services from the sea at Aberdovey Beach in Gwynedd on Sunday afternoon.
A Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) spokesperson said a multi-agency response was launched at around 2.20pm following reports of people in trouble in the water.
The Welsh Ambulance Service said a total of five people were taken to hospital.
Two people were transferred by air ambulance to Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth while another was flown to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor.
A further two patients were taken to Bronglais Hospital by ambulance.
Their condition is not thought to be life threatening, a spokeswoman for the service said.
One patient was discharged at the scene while the outcome of the final two is unknown.
HM Coastguard said Aberdovey and Borth coastguard rescue teams, Aberdovey RNLI lifeboat, the coastguard helicopter from Caernarfon, Welsh Ambulance Service and two air ambulances were all sent to the scene.
It said the rest of those rescued had been checked over by paramedics and did not need onward transfer to hospital.
The beach sits inside Snowdonia National Park and is a popular spot with tourists.
Its treacherous currents are well known and swimmers are urged to take care.
