Holidaying families survive freak wave

Two families, nine children and an adult, have had a lucky escape after a freak wave almost swept them all into the sea off the Giant's Causeway.

The two families, the Macrorys from Londonderry and the Humpreys from Cheshire, were walking over rocks near to the sea on a visit to the North Coast's popular tourist attraction on Thursday afternoon when the huge wave washed over the rocks. The wave knocked them all off their feet as the backwash threatened to suck them off the rocks into deeper water.

The children described how they slid and tumbled over rocks pushed along by the force of the torrent of water.

A man whose own children were also hit by the wave helped to save the children aged from four to 13.

The incident was dramatically caught on videotape by Drew Macrory, the father of one of the sets of cousins involved. Later, describing his initial disbelief at the "surreal" incident that unfolded as he videoed, Mr Macrory admitted that the seriousness of the experience soon hit home.

The children and one of the adults suffered cuts, bruises and water inhalation but after receiving treatment in hospital were later discharged.

Sea conditions at the time were said to be moderate and the incident has been put down to a rogue wave.

Holidaymakers have been warned to take care when close to the sea especially when on exposed rocks near wave height.

(SP)