A SURFER played a critical role in helping rescue a person who had been swept out to sea off the coast of North Berwick.

On the afternoon of Sunday, September 27, North Berwick RNLI was called to a report of a person in the water off East Beach.

North Berwick Coastguard was also called and in attendance.

The crew found the individual about 400 metres from the beach after they were taken out to sea by a rip current.

They had lost their board and were being supported in the water by a surfer.

The lifeboat crew had to negotiate two-metre breaking waves to recover them and get them safely onto the lifeboat.

Both the surfer and the casualty were taken to the lifeboat station and checked over.

A spokesperson for North Berwick Lifeboat said: “Without the actions of the surfer this could have been a very different outcome. Our thanks to them and the members of the public onshore.

“The casualty had lost their board and therefore had no means of flotation in rough seas.

“If this happens to you, you should float to live: lie on your back, spread your arms and legs. If you can, wave your hand and shout for help. Stay calm.

“In any coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for the coastguard.”