THE Severn Area Rescue Association provided the first response call to all inland water incidents for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

The fire service had requested their support along with the fire services across England and of other volunteer organisations as they were hugely stretched dealing with extensive and persistent wildfires.

Teams from different boating teams at SARA including Newport, Beachley, Sharpness and Tewkesbury were supported by colleagues from SARA Cotswolds and Upton have been based at Cardiff Gate Fire Station and SARA has had one, often two boat teams available on site from 5pm on Thursday through to 7pm on Sunday evening.

By their ongoing support and efforts, it released firefighters to deal with the wildfires across South Wales.

During this time, teams responded to reports of one person in the water in Cardiff and another in Newport, both resolved with everyone safe.