Two kayakers have described rescuing two women in separate incidents after a dolphin began pushing them underwater.
Brothers Rhys and Gareth Paterson said they saw the animal jump on one swimmer’s back and force her head below the surface at Lyme Bay in Dorset on Thursday.
“She was kind of gasping for air,” said Rhys. “She was terrified.” They later saw the dolphin do “exactly the same thing” to another woman.
Experts from the Marine Management Organisation have warned that dolphins are “unpredictable wild animals” and advised swimmers to stay at least 100m (328ft) away.
The bottlenose dolphin, known as Reggie to locals, was first spotted in the bay earlier this year and has become a regular visitor – to the excitement of residents and tourists.
While many have welcomed his visits, marine experts say human interaction can cause dolphins to lose their natural wariness and become aggressive.
This appears to be what the brothers witnessed when they spotted the first swimmer in distress about 200m (656ft) from shore.
Rhys said they saw the dolphin jump on the woman’s back.
“We thought he was doing what he normally does – just a bit of fun,” he said.
But after hearing her scream, they paddled over and saw the dolphin repeatedly push her head underwater.
After bringing her back to shore, they returned to the water and saw the same dolphin targeting another woman, who was holding onto a yellow buoy while “looking panicked”.
Rhys said swimmers should try to get back to shore as quickly as possible if they spot the animal.
“I think it’s only a matter of time before the dolphin gets hurt or someone gets seriously hurt,” he said. “It is a wild animal, as exciting as it is.
“I think it’s up to everyone now to start respecting its space a little bit more.
“If we weren’t there that day I think something bad could have potentially happened.”
