Off-duty lifeboat hero saves kids

Mum hails Callum after he drags bodyboarders to safety on beach

- RUTH SUTER

A HERO off-duty RNLI lifeguard has been hailed for saving the lives of two young children at a beach.

Callum McDonald, from Dundee, had been on a surfing trip at Farr Bay near Bettyhill, Sutherland, when he spotted two bodyboarders in the water.

Initially, he thought they were surfers but on closer inspection, he was shocked to see two people struggling with the sea.

He said: "I had been surfing for around an hour before I spotted what I thought was another surfer.

"There was lots of splashing and I realised it was them kicking their legs furiously in an attempt to get back to safety. I tried to get closer but I was cautious of nearby rocks and wanted to avoid us all getting hurt."

After seeing the youngsters being dragged by the rip, Callum urged them to swim to him - but they were too tired.