Moira Malcolm was on holiday in Wales with her parents, her three children, sister-in-law and niece when her seven-year-old daughter Shylah was dragged out to sea on a floatie
A mother holidaying in Wales has thanked two strangers for saving her daughter from drowning. Moira Malcolm, 33, from Manchester, was enjoying a break in Rhyl with her parents, three children, sister-in-law and niece.
Moira’s mother had bought inflatables for her three children to use at the beach during the summer heatwave. However, their day at Rhyl beach on Sunday took a terrifying turn just before noon when her seven-year-old daughter Shylah was carried away by a riptide on her float.
Shylah had been in the sea with her aunt while Moira was on the beach with her two toddler sons, Calden, two, and Cabe, one, and niece Jayce, three.
“She was in the sea on a big floatie with her auntie and got swept out. My sister-in-law couldn’t reach her and by the time I realised what was happening and left my sons with my mum and jumped in, these two men were already swimming for their lives to try and get to her,” said Moira.
“She was screaming with fear as she was getting taken further and further out by the sea. She ended up falling off the floatie and my heart was in my mouth as I was trying my best to swim to her but knew she would soon drown before I could reach her. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here
“Both of the men were struggling themselves to get to her and risked their own lives in the process. Luckily they reached her just in time and saved her life.
“Me and my family were in such a mess we only got chance to thank them briefly but we owe them a hell of a lot more. If it wasn’t for these two men my beautiful daughter wouldn’t be here today.
“I want them to get the recognition they deserve.”
The family took to social media with a heartfelt message hoping to reach out to the brave men and personally convey their gratitude, reports North Wales Live.
Ben Malone identified himself as one of the rescuers, saying: “I was the guy who managed to get to her first but wouldn’t have been able to get her back if it wasn’t for the other guy shortly behind me.
“I’m so glad she is okay, I have two kids myself and I would hope that somebody would do the same for my babies. I would do it again if really had to.”