TWO separate incidents resulted in five children being rescued from the red flagged area of Ryde Beach earlier today (Friday, July 29).

Ryde Beach Lifeguards, alongside the coastguard and ambulance service, responded quickly to rescue them.

The children were all rescued, but taken to hospital by family members and ambulance crews to ensure they were not suffering from secondary drowning - as they had swallowed water.

This was followed an hour later by a group of boys jumping and diving from the Harbour wall into the shallow water, who were swiftly moved on by the lifeguard team.

A spokesperson from Ryde Beach Lifeguards said: "We cannot reiterate enough that NOBODY should swim in Ryde Harbour, nor should they swim by the harbour rocks.

"It is red flagged because there is a strong current that will pull swimmers out to sea and towards the pier.

"There is plenty of safe areas of the beach to swim and enjoy the water safely.

"Please swim between the Red and Yellow Flags."