Newquay Lifeboat Volunteers rescue six people over busy weekend

Six people trapped by the tide were rescued. The RNLI volunteers assisted police in a search for a missing woman and responded to a 999 call reporting two paddle boarders in difficulties at dusk.
 
The Police requested assistance in the search for a missing woman at 3.47pm on Saturday, after her handbag had been found in the sea by recreational divers near Dane Rock in Newquay Bay. The RNLI volunteers searched the  local coastline from the harbour to Towan Head, but fortunately the woman was found safe inland within thirty minutes.

At 4.59pm on Saturday, Newquay's RNLI lifeboat team responded for the second time, to assist four people who were trapped by the tide between Towan and Great Western beaches. One of the charity's volunteers went ashore and stayed with members of the family to provide reassurance, whilst they were taken to safety in two trips on the D class inshore lifeboat.
 
The third alert of the weekend came at 5.55pm on Sunday, after a middle-aged couple were trapped by the high spring tide opposite The Saltings on the River Gannel whilst walking along the shore.

When the RNLI volunteers arrived on the D class inshore lifeboat Enid Mary, they found the local couple stranded on a small rock with water around their legs, and no exit route available due to heavy undergrowth and steep, rocky terrain. They were taken onto the lifeboat and landed safely at the Gannel car park on the opposite shore, where they were met by members of Newquay coastguard rescue team, who had earlier provided reassurance over a loud-hailer prior to the lifeboat crew arriving.
 
Finally, just before 9.45pm on Sunday, a concerned member of the public rang 999 and alerted the Coastguard to two stand-up paddle boarders who appeared to be in difficulty east of Towan Head. The RNLI volunteers again launched the D class inshore lifeboat and quickly found the two 18-year-old girls in Newquay Bay. In the fading light, 15 minutes after sunset, one of the girls had fallen into the sea a few times, but they didn't require assistance and were able to reach the shore safely at Great Western Beach.
 
A spokesperson for the RNLI said: 'Check local tide times before visiting the coast, and if you think you see anybody in difficulties, do not hesitate to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.'
 

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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