Topless Beachgoer Bravely Rescues 3 Women Swept By Strong Rip Current

Jessica Layton was enjoying the sun topless just after 3 p.m. at a nudist beach in the UK when she saw several people struggling in the water. Without giving it a thought, the 28-year-old swam towards the three to save them.

An Idle Afternoon

The nudist from Penzance in Cornwall decided to go sunbathing au naturel Tuesday at the Pedn Vounder, a tidal beach which is located on the southern coast of the Penwith peninsula. She did not expect that the idle afternoon would change and provide her a chance to be a hero, reports say.

Layton said the time was just after 3 p.m., and she noticed the tide was already coming in, so she thought of taking a final dip before heading home. “I was topless in the sea when I saw two young women struggling to swim near the rocks. Another member of the family ran in to help them and she started struggling, too,” the nudist told Cornwall Live, a news website based in the region.

Saving Lives

Without hesitation, the 28-year-old swam towards them and realized the immense strength of the rip current. She admitted to having struggled herself as she swam toward the three, who were already panicking by this time. Layton tried to tell the three to try floating, which she recalls is the best thing anyone can do in a rip current. She saw, however, that they were panicking so much, and heeding her advice about floating would not have worked.

The instant hero saw they were holding hands together, so she grabbed one of their hands and started pulling them all to the beach. She later found out the three were composed of two sisters and a cousin. When they were safe on the shores, one of the women asked Layton if she was a lifeguard and also remarked how strong she was.

Wearing Nothing Before The Rescue

The nudist, who is a performer with the Rouge Theater in Cornwall, told the news outlet she did not know where all the strength came from when she pulled the three to safety. She added she had been wearing nothing at all just before the rescue. “Fortunately, I’d just put my bikini bottoms on before it happened. It’s a classic — of course, I was going to be topless when something like this happens," Layton said.

Pedn Vounder is famous among locals for being dangerous because of its strong rip currents. It does not have a lifeguard. During an interview, the 28-year-old nudist felt lucky to be there and help those she saw were in danger.