A woman who was treated by RNLI lifeguards after having a severe allergic reaction on a Pembrokeshire beach tracked down the lifeguard who helped her to deliver a thank you card and a donation.

The incident happened on Amroth beach, near Tenby, on Monday of last week, when members of a woman’s family came to alert lifeguards that she was having an allergic reaction.

Soon her condition had deteriorated into sever anaphylaxis and she was suffering seizures and vomiting and moving in and out of consciousness.

RNLI senior lifeguard Matt Davie and lifeguard Imogen Williams immediately called for an ambulance and began treatment on the beach.

The lifeguards administered emergency first aid, reassured the casualty and her family and maintained her airway until the ambulance arrived to take her to hospital for further treatment.

Thankfully the woman made a full recovery and was released from hospital later that day and the following Thursday she sprung a surprise on Matt while he was on water’s edge patrol lifeguarding at Tenby South Beach.

The lady and her husband had tracked him down to hand over a thank you card and a £50 donation to the RNLI charity.

The card said: ‘It was a real comfort to know what good hands I was in - the calm way you took control of the situation, the way you told me what was happening all throughout gave me confidence that I could keep breathing until the ambulance arrived. I can’t believe how lucky I was for this to have happened right next to you.’

Matt said: “We don’t help people on the beaches to get recognition, but it was lovely to receive this card and we’re so grateful for the kind donation to the RNLI charity too.”

Lifeguard supervisor Adam Pitman said: “This was a severe case of anaphylaxis and our lifeguards did a fantastic job of administering emergency first aid to the casualty until the ambulance arrived. I’d like to praise Matt and Imogen for how they handled this situation.

“Our lifeguards receive comprehensive first aid training and carry a range of first aid equipment on the beaches, so anyone in need of assistance should contact the lifeguards immediately.”

With the summer holidays now beginning, RNLI lifeguards will be entering their busiest period. Lifeguards in Pembrokeshire will be providing a daily safety service between 10 am and 6 pm throughout the summer on Amroth, Saundersfoot, Tenby North, Tenby South, Tenby Castle, Freshwater West, Broad Haven, Nolton Haven, Newgale, Whitesands, Newport and Poppit Sands beaches.

Adam added: “We would encourage anyone visiting the coast this summer to always visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags. Our lifeguards are approachable and happy to help so anyone with queries or in need of assistance should not hesitate to contact them.”