Newquay RNLI volunteers rescue two people in the sea at Towan Head
On 5 April at 3.10pm, Newquay RNLI volunteers received an immediate launch page and were requested to look for two people who had been thrown out of their inflatable rib just off Towan Head, close to the Cribbar.
Two occupants of the boat had been thrown into the sea when the vessel capsized, one wearing a flotation device but the other's flotation device was in the sea and blowing away from the vessel.
The casualties made the sensible decision to swim back to the upturned vessel rather than chase the lifejacket and waited for help to arrive.
With both casualties now safely onboard the lifeboat, the volunteer crew agreed that the safest option was to take the upturned vessel aboard the lifeboat, avoiding further concerns and reports being raised to the Coastguard.
At 3.37pm the lifeboat crew, along with the two casualties arrived back into Newquay harbour where shore crew assisted the casualties out of the boat and into the lifeboat station. While waiting for their family, they were offered a hot drink and advised to seek medical attention to ensure they had not received any injuries.
The lifeboat was made ready for service by shore crew volunteers and was back on station at 4.pm.
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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