Brothers rescue ‘terrified’ swimmer from dolphin at Lyme Bay

A pair of kayakers have described rescuing two girls in separate incidents after a dolphin started pushing them underwater.

Brothers Rhys and Gareth Paterson stated they noticed the animal bounce on one swimmer’s again and power her head under the floor at Lyme Bay in Dorset on Thursday.

“She was kind of gasping for air,” stated Rhys. “She was terrified.” They later noticed the dolphin do “exactly the same thing” to a different lady.

Experts from the Marine Management Organisation have warned that dolphins are “unpredictable wild animals” and suggested swimmers to remain a minimum of 100m (328ft) away.

They additionally reminded people who dolphins, whales and porpoises are protected by legislation.

The bottlenose dolphin, generally known as Reggie to locals, was first noticed within the bay earlier this yr and has turn out to be a daily customer – to the joy of residents and vacationers.

While many have welcomed his visits, marine specialists say human interplay may cause dolphins to lose their pure wariness and turn out to be aggressive.

This seems to be what the brothers witnessed once they noticed the primary swimmer in misery about 200m (656ft) from shore.

Rhys stated they noticed the dolphin bounce on the girl’s again.

“We thought he was doing what he normally does – just a bit of fun,” he stated.

But after listening to her scream, they paddled over and noticed the dolphin repeatedly push her head underwater.

After bringing her again to shore, they returned to the water and noticed the identical dolphin focusing on one other lady, who was holding onto a yellow buoy whereas “looking panicked”.

Rhys stated swimmers ought to attempt to get again to shore as rapidly as attainable in the event that they spot the animal.

“I think it’s only a matter of time before the dolphin gets hurt or someone gets seriously hurt,” he stated. “It is a wild animal, as exciting as it is.

“I believe it is as much as everybody now to start out respecting its area just a little bit extra.

“If we weren’t there that day I think something bad could have potentially happened.”