RNLI lifeguards patrolling Mawgan Porth rescue swimmer

The swimmer entered the water between the red and yellow flags, before he was overcome by the swell and dragged quickly out of his depth by the strong current. RNLI lifeguard Nick Hooper was on duty on the water's edge and reacted quickly on the rescue board. Nick reached the casualty quickly but he was caught in the impact zone, exhausted by the breaking waves.

With the crashing waves making it difficult to get the casualty onto the rescue board, both him and Nick continued to be dragged out by the rip current. Nick paused to reassure the casualty that he was safe, and slowly recover his breath before requesting back up from his colleagues.

RNLI lifeguard Riley Mee launched the Rescue Water Craft (RWC) and navigated the breaking surf to reach Nick and the casualty who was helped onto the sled at the back of the RWC. He was taken back safely into the beach.

The casualty returned two days later to thank the team and said without Nick’s help, ‘I would have been gone.’

RNLI lifeguard supervisor Mark Priem said;

‘We’ve had some tricky conditions on the north coast, with a large swell and big tides creating lots of water movement and those less confident in the water can easily be caught out. Thankfully the swimmer was at a lifeguarded beach, and between the red and yellow flags and Nick was able to see the situation and react quickly.’