UK lifeguards say they have rescued a group of 17 people who were swept out to sea in a very rare flash rip current by Bournemouth Pier over the bank holiday. Lifeguards had spotted a large group people in the sea around midday on Aug. 30 and decided to just make a routine check and to give advice. “As the lifeguard was paddling over to the group, a flash-rip current started to form, and the group were swept out to sea,” said a statement by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). Within minutes, the RNLI had dispatched nine lifeguards and all 17 people were returned to safety. ‘It’s very unusual for a flash-rip current to develop in this area, but when they do form they develop quickly,” said Ethan Fox, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor said. ” Thankfully the group were well prepared and had followed the charity’s advice by swimming between …