Lifeboat Crew Saves Two Boys Dragged Under Blackpool Pier

When 12-year-old Kizza and his brother Subby, 10, went for a swim during their family's Eid celebration in Blackpool, they had no idea the tide would turn their day into a fight for survival.

Powerful waves dragged both boys underneath Blackpool Pier on May 28, trapping them in the churning water beneath the structure. Their mother Zully watched in horror from shore as her youngest son struggled to hold on. "He held on, the little brave man, but couldn't hold any more and I could see him going under," she said.

That's when volunteer lifeboat crews from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution raced into action. Bodycam footage released in July shows the crew navigating the dangerous conditions beneath the pier, reaching the boys who were described as "close to drowning."

The volunteers pulled both Kizza and Subby to safety before they lost their grip completely. A separate crew rescued their 21-year-old cousin Ted, who had been clinging desperately to a beam trying to help the younger boys.

Paramedics assessed all three on shore. Despite their terrifying ordeal, everyone made it back safely thanks to the quick response of the RNLI volunteers.

Why This Inspires

This rescue showcases the incredible dedication of volunteer lifeboat crews who train relentlessly for moments exactly like this one. The RNLI operates entirely on donations and is staffed largely by volunteers who drop everything when the call comes in.

These everyday heroes put their own safety on the line to bring families back together. For Zully and her family, what could have been an unspeakable tragedy became a story of gratitude, all because trained volunteers were ready when seconds mattered most.

The rescue also serves as an important reminder about ocean safety, especially near piers where currents can change quickly and structures create hidden dangers beneath the surface.

Zully called her sons' survival "a miracle," but it was really the result of brave people choosing to be ready when others need them most.

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