THREE teenagers from the same family have been airlifted to hospital – at least one of them in a critical condition – after getting into difficulty in the sea at Tywyn, the Cambrian News understands.

North Wales Police and the Welsh Ambulance Service have both confirmed a “medical emergency” arose just before 2pm today, with two boys aged 17 and 16 and a girl, aged 16, believed to be involved.

The 16-year-old boy has been rushed to Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool and the other two taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd.

Several emergency service teams are congregated on the slipway at Tywyn at present.

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard confirmed it had been co-ordinating a rescue after three people got into difficulty in the water.

A statement read: "The call came in around 1.30pm today at Tywyn, Aberdyfi and Barmouth lifeboats were sent, along with Aberdyfi and Borth Coastguard Rescue Teams.

"North Wales Police are also on scene along with the Welsh Ambulance Service. Two helicopters, the HM Coastguard search and rescue aircraft from Caernarfon, along with the air ambulance also attended.

"All three casualties were airlifted to hospital."

A spokesperson for the Welsh Ambulance Service confirmed: “We were called to the slipway at Tywyn North just before 2pm today following reports of a medical emergency.

“A rapid response paramedic, emergency ambulance and Air Ambulance have been called to the scene.”