TWO young boys have been praised for their “bravery and unselfishness” as they help rescue a casualty struggling in the water and bring them back to shore.

HM Southend Coastguard were called to reports of a person struggling to make it back to shore on an inflatable by concerned members of the public off of west beach Shoebury on August 29, at around 7:25pm.

Upon arrival RNLI Southend Lifeboat were directed to a group of extended family and friends on the beach where it became apparent the casualty had made it back to shore.

Coastguard officers then identified four casualties who were in need of medical assistance ranging from large ingestion of water to cuts and abrasions.

READ MORE >> Suspected sex offender arrested after being snared by paedo hunter group

A spokesman for HM Southend Coastguard said: “The primary focus was concern for the casualties that had swallowed water due to the concern of secondary drowning after it was confirmed they had been under water numerous times, so an ambulance was called.

“All 4 casualties were treated on scene by Coastguard Officers before handover to East of England Ambulance Service once on scene.

“The primary casualty was then conveyed to hospital for observation.”

Southend Coastguard said it then later transpired that the casualty had ventured out on the inflatable on a strong outgoing tide and with an offshore wind.

They soon realized they couldn’t get back to shore and slipped into the water and struggled in the water.

Members of the public, family, and friends then realized there was an immediate concern for their safety who then went into the water to help.

Two young children, one on a paddle board and one on a kayak, bravely ventured out to the end of the groyne to help rescue the casualty and bring them back to shore safely.

A spokesman for HM Southend Coastguard commended the two young children.

They said: “We would like to commend these 2 young children for their unselfishness, bravery, and instinct to go to someone’s need of help before emergency services were on scene.

“As well as all those who helped, thank you.

“Whilst we do not encourage members of the public to enter the water and ask you to wait for emergency services to attend, the bravery of these 2 young children is very commendable.

“We wish the casualty a full and quick recovery.”