What recently started out as an early Sunday morning surf for Ana and two friends on the 13th December, quickly turned into a dramatic sea rescue of four swimmers who had got into difficulties in a North Sea rip tide at Tynemouth. Currently a third-year medical student at Newcastle University, Ana has recently become a keen surfer. Little did she know that her new-found hobby would end up saving lives.

Ana acted quickly and bravely entering the rip to help the fatigued swimmers onto their boards, which gave the swimmers enough time for the RNLI to reach them and administer first aid. The swimmers required oxygen as had aspirated sea water, a sign they were not doing well. Without Ana’s swift action this could have been considerably worse.

Ana and her friends have been put forward for a bravery award by the local search and rescue team and Ana has received NHS recognition for her actions from the NHS Trust where she is currently doing her medical placement. Amazing rescue Ana!