Newquay RNLI volunteers assist in overnight rescue of two people trapped on rock
Newquay’s RNLI lifeboat volunteers were woken by their pagers at 3.26am on Saturday (22 December) after a 999 call was received, reporting two people trapped by the tide on a rock at the southern end of Towan Beach.
The charity's D class inshore lifeboat launched with three crew on-board and quickly arrived at the scene, but with a two-metre swell hitting the rocks and with the man and woman not in immediate danger, sat at the top of the rock approximately 30-40ft above the water, it was decided that the Coastguard search and rescue helicopter would provide the safest evacuation.
With support on the cliff top from Newquay Coastguard, the helicopter crew rescued both people from the rock and landed them safely at the Barrowfields, where they were met by colleagues from Padstow Coastguard and the police, cold & wet but otherwise unhurt. After providing safety cover in the bay during the rescue, the lifeboat crew returned to the harbour at 4.30am.
Gareth Horner, Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘Please stay safe and respect the water over the Christmas holidays. Don't go into the sea after drinking alcohol and if you see anyone in difficulties, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard’.
RNLI media contacts
Andy Hobkinson, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Newquay RNLI lifeboat station, [email protected] or mobile: 07880 507464. Alternatively, please contact Emma Haines, RNLI Media Officer (South) at [email protected] or 07786 668847. The RNLI Press Office can be contacted on 01202 336789.
Notes to editors
- Please find attached picture of the scene from Saturday morning. Credit: Kev Goulding
RNLI media contacts
Andy Hobkinson, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at Newquay RNLI lifeboat station, [email protected] or mobile: 07880 507464. Alternatively, please contact Emma Haines, RNLI Media Officer (South) at [email protected] or 07786 668847. The RNLI Press Office can be contacted on 01202 336789.
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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