Two lives saved after rip current sweeps bodyboarders towards rocks in Cornwall
RNLI lifeguards launched a major rescue after they ended up in the water
Last updated 6th Sep 2022
Cornwall's lifeguards have saved two lives on the last day of peak season, in a major rescue.
The RNLI says two bodyboarders were caught in a strong strong rip at Gunwalloe on Sunday.
Teams sprang into action as the couple in their 60s drifted towards rocks 'incredibly quickly'.
Crews were quick to reach the casualties, but their rescue boards were subsequently pulled from their grip after a huge wave crashed into the group.
All four ended up in the water and were being swept around the point towards neighbouring Dollar Cove.
The male casualty was washed into a small opening within the rocks with lifeguard Adam Wiltshire, where they were getting churned around in the water.
The female casualty had lost her bodyboard and been swept into a small gully with lifeguard Zack Martin. She was becoming exhausted and waves were surging in, forcing them both into the cliff as Zack tried to keep her above the water.
A local surfer spotted the incident unfolding and got out of the sea and ran along the rocks from the beach with a couple of rescue tubes.
Also hearing what was happening through the initial radio communications were the RNLI Lifeguards at neighbouring Poldhu Cove.
RNLI Lifeguard Owen Goose ran across the coast path, joining the surfer on the rocks. Using the tubes, Owen, the surfer, and Adam were able to haul up the male casualty to safety onto the rocks.
Bodyboarders saved in dramatic rescue
The female casualty was in a more hazardous situation, as she and Zack were being pinned against the cliff by crashing waves.
Waiting for the right time between the waves, Adam managed to swim across to Zack with a rescue tube. Together they managed to guide the casualty through the waves and current, back to where Owen was waiting.
Owen, alongside a few members of the public managed to lift her out of the water before the next wave washed them off the rocks.
The lifeguards helped the two casualties to traverse around the slippery boulders back to the beach where they met colleagues from Mullion and Porthleven Coastguard Rescue Teams.
Coastguard medics assessed the couple for injuries, but thankfully they only had superficial scratches and bruises.
Lead RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor, Adam Harris, said: "Zack and Adam willingly placed themselves in harm's way to rescue two bodyboarders in very difficult conditions. Without the brave actions from the lifeguards, it would have been almost impossible to recover them to safety in time. With Owen's assistance and the help from the surfer and members of the public, the combined teamwork at Gunwalloe on Sunday was outstanding and we're extremely proud of them all".
On Sunday (4th September) a number of beaches in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, and Dorset concluded their RNLI lifeguarding service as the school summer holidays come to an end, including Gunwalloe, and nearby Polurrian and Porthleven.
Read more: RNLI warning as summer patrols end on 12 beaches across Cornwall
RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor, Matthew Trewhella, added: "This rescue shows how important it is to visit an RNLI lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.
"We still patrol other beaches across the region including Gyllyngvase, Poldhu Cove, Kennack Sands and Praa Sands until the end of September, with Praa Sands being extended into October half-term.
"There's a forecast for constant large waves and strong winds to be hitting the south west over the next few weeks, so be extra careful if you are visiting the coast and follow the advice of our RNLI lifeguard teams".