Walkers winched to safety after getting cut off by tide on Cornish beach
They were exploring caves when they realised their exit had been cut off
Last updated 18th Dec 2020
Two walkers have been airlifted to safety after getting cut off by the tide in south east Cornwall.
They got trapped below cliffs at Tregantle Beach at around 6.15pm on yesterday evening (17 December).
They had been exploring the beach and caves when they realised the tide was coming in and their exit had been cut off.
Coastguard rescue teams, a helicopter and RNLI lifeboats were all called to the scene.
The rough sea conditions meant the boat couldn't get to the walkers so they had to be winched to safety by the coastguard helicopter.
"At 6.15pm HM Coastguard received a 999 call from the the two walkers who were trapped below cliffs after being cut off by an incoming tide. HM Coastguard requested two RNLI lifeboats from Looe and sent Looe, Tamar and Plymouth Coastguard Rescue Teams. Once on scene the rescue teams established that the location of the two people was impossible to reach with a boat due to the rough sea conditions and the Coastguard rescue helicopter from Newquay winched the two walkers to safety.
"The walkers climbed on rocks to escape the rising tide and they reported that they had been exploring the beach and caves when they realised the tide was coming in and had already cut off their exit from the beach."
Maritime and Coastguard Agency