Several children rescued from rip current in Old Orchard Beach

OLD ORCHARD BEACH, Maine — Several children were rescued from rip currents in Old Orchard Beach Friday evening.

Firefighters say rip currents are rampant right now.

The fire department says lifeguards sprang into action and rescued four children.

Fire and EMS were called, but the lifeguards were able to get to the kids, and they’re said to be OK.

The fire captain says conditions are ripe for rip currents right now.

“The beach is kind of weird this year, lots of sandbars, storms, riptides and you get a kid that weighs 20 to 40 pounds, it’ll take them out like an express,” OOB Fire and Rescue Captain Norman Gendron said. “If they don’t know how to swim, you have to swim lateral. Going to be a tough summer for the lifeguards.”

The fire chief is urging everyone to be safe, and if you get caught in a rip current, swim parallel to shore and stay calm.