Three rescued after getting trapped by the high tide at Portreath
The RNLI have issued an update following the incident on Monday night (May 22)
Three people have been rescued by crews from the RNLI in a 'multi-agency operation' after three people were cut off by the tide on Monday evening (May 22).
Rescue teams from St Agnes and St Ives lifeboat stations, alongside Coastguard Cliff teams from Portreath and St Agnes and the Coastguard rescue helicopters in the operation, carried out in what's being described as 'challenging conditions' by the Lifeboats service.
Lifeboat teams were launched 6.10pm on Monday night to reports of people cut off by the tide at Bassetts Cove near Portreath.
Two Coastguard rescue helicopters were also called to the scene, which was seeing poor weather conditions at the time.
Volunteers at St Agnes RNLI battled the surf to launch their D class inshore lifeboat, while the all-weather and inshore lifeboats from St Ives also launched, and crews made their way towards Bassetts Cove.
The Portreath cliff rescue team were already on scene at the bottom of the cliff, having rescued one of the casualties who was brought safely to land.
Two other casualties had been washed into a cave within Bassetts Cove, with the rescue helicopter winching up one of the casualties from the entrance of the cave.
They were then helped up by the Coastguard cliff rescue team and taken to hospital.
After a number of unsuccessful attempts by the RNLI to rescue the third person, they had to wait for the high tide to peak and start to drop before they could be brought to safety - when a life ring was streamed into the cave.
A second rescue helicopter from Cardiff was also on scene, and a winchman managed to gain footing through a slight drop in the tide.
The last casualty was found at the back of the cave and was extracted out and winched safely into the helicopter.
All three casualties were taken to hospital and the lifeboats returned to station at around 10pm.
St Agnes RNLI volunteer crew member, Fraser Watt, said that the rescue was very difficult: "It was particularly challenging because of the conditions, force 5-6 winds, two-and-half metre waves, challenging tidal conditions and a strong current.
"It must have been absolutely terrifying for the casualties, I can only imagine in there in the dark and cold, having waves breaking upon the cave.
"It wasn’t until the water started to ebb out of the cave that the Coastguard teams were able to get a winchman into the cave system and thankfully extract the casualty."
Robin Langford, RNLI Second Coxswain Mechanic at St Ives, added: "Getting cut off by the tide contributes to a significant number of RNLI rescues every year. The outstanding efforts by all emergency services at the scene has resulted in a positive outcome for all the casualties involved in this rescue.
"This is a stark reminder of the how rising tides can be incredibly dangerous. I urge people visiting the coast that before heading out, make sure it's safe, checking tide times, being aware of your surroundings whilst out and being aware of the tide's direction."
In a statement sent to us, a spokesperson from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "HM Coastguard responded to a 999 call from a member of public reporting an incident in the Portreath area shortly after 6pm yesterday (22 May).
"Portreath and St Agnes Coastguard Rescue Teams, St Ives and St Agnes RNLI lifeboats have been sent, alongside Coastguard Rescue helicopters, Devon and Cornwall Police and the South Western Ambulance Service."