TWO swimmers off the coast of North Berwick required medical treatment on Saturday afternoon “having swallowed water and been washed over rocks”.

The town’s coastguard and RNLI crews, alongside an RNLI crew from Dunbar, received a call to go to North Berwick’s East Beach at about 3pm after reports of two people in the water.

A spokesman for North Berwick Coastguard Rescue Team said: “We made contact with the first informant, who directed us to the exact location of the incident.

“By the time we arrived on scene, the casualties had been helped out of the water by beach goers who then helped us recover the casualties back to the lifeboat station so they could be handed over to the Scottish Ambulance Service for treatment.

“Remember if you see someone or something you are concerned about on the shoreline, cliff, mud or on the sea. Dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.”

A North Berwick RNLI statement said: “Our volunteers launched but were stood down en-route as the casualties made it ashore with help from bystanders.

“They were picked up by North Berwick Coastguard Rescue Team and transported to the station, where casualty care was carried out by our crew as they were in shock having swallowed water and been washed over rocks.

“They were handed into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service.

“There were breaking waves on scene which may have looked small but can be powerful. Depending on the tide, rocks can be partially covered, which can be dangerous. Shortly after the call-out, a rip current was observed in the area, with some swimmers caught in it, though they were washed to shore by large waves.

“Our beaches are beautiful but, in certain conditions, can be dangerous if you are unaware of the hazards, or don’t know how to keep yourself safe. As there are no lifeguards in our area, you should take particular caution.”