Main image via Alaska Mine + Twitter
The saying goes, “It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt” and for three friends, this saying goes a long way when they were recently swept away to sea on top of their giant inflatable float.
Thankfully, no one was hurt.
via GIPHY
Getting on a large inflatable float and spending the day floating around on a pool is definitely our idea of a relaxing activity but for three friends and their two dogs, it became a stressful situation.
Hollie Spence, her friend Lepa Sega and her brother Nation Sega, decided to celebrate Hollie’s 30th birthday by setting out on a 10ft inflatable pink flamingo float, with their two dogs along for the ride.
They had planned to spend the supposedly pleasant and sunny day, floating about in a shallow area of the White Sands beach in Kodiak, Alaska, USA.
With having done some similar floating on a raft the previous year with no difficulties, the group thought nothing about their plans.
Image via Twitter
They even packed extra clothes, blankets, snacks, and beverages for their relaxing afternoon.
However, they failed to include life jackets or paddles in their packing, with Hollie believing that they would notice if they were drifting too far off and would be able to pull themselves back.
The group’s relaxing afternoon unfortunately took a turn for the worst when the wind and currents turned out to be far more powerful than they anticipated.
The floating friends and their dogs were quickly swept out of the shallows and into Monashka Bay.
“It was a little windy but I never thought in a million years we would be drug out so fast and so far,” Hollie told ABC7.
Image via Alaska Mine
The float eventually stopped drifting and got caught on some offshore rocks.
Luckily, witnesses quickly got in touch with the Alaska State Troopers and the US Coast Guard who came to the distressed group’s rescue.
The rescue effort itself was not an easy one. Thanks to the treacherous conditions, the rescuers were unable to get to the stranded float by boat and had to use a helicopter to hoist the group to safety.
“Alaska State Troopers and the #USCG worked together to determine that due to the treacherous circumstances, a helicopter hoist was the best option to bring these folks and their animals back to shore, safe and sound!” the US Coast Guard Alaska wrote on their Facebook page.
“It was the scariest day of my life,” Hollie shared. “I don’t think I’ll ever do something like this again.”
Thanks to the rescue team’s efforts, all three friends and two dogs returned to shore with no serious injuries.
Well, this is definitely a birthday that Hollie would remember forever!
Always be sure to take all safety measures, even if it’s for a day of fun.
Have you been on a giant float? What safety measures do you take? Let us know!
Info via UNILAD