Newquay's RNLI volunteers rescue pregnant woman trapped by the tide

Her husband swam out of the cove and around to the north east side of Tolcarne Beach to raise the alarm, and the RNLI volunteers quickly arrived on the charity's D class inshore lifeboat, having first carefully negotiated large submerged rocks in the one-metre swell, using the lifeboat's emergency oars to gauge the depth of water and guide them safely towards the woman's position.

With Newquay Coastguard rescue team providing support from the clifftop, the RNLI lifeboat crew were able to manouvre back out past the rocks and landed the unhurt woman safely on Tolcarne Beach just before 9.30pm, along with a surfer who had gone to her aid before emergency services arrived.

A spokesman said: 'The couple were visiting Newquay from Stoke-on-Trent and were very grateful for the lifeboat crew's assistance. Please remember to check local tide times before walking the coast, and bear in mind that is possible to be trapped around two-to-three hours before high tide, as happened on Saturday. Please support our RNLI volunteers at Newquay Lifeboat Day on Sunday 20 August 2017'.

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

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.