Surfers winched to safety after getting stuck on rocks at Cornish beach
An off-duty lifeguard raised the alarm at Porthtowan on Thursday
Last updated 11th Mar 2022
Two surfers have been rescued after getting stuck on rocks at a popular beach on the north coast of Cornwall.
The pair were being washed back into the sea by breaking waves after getting into trouble at Porthtowan.
Emergency services were tasked by Falmouth Coastguard on Thursday morning, including the HM Coastguard helicopter and St Agnes lifeboat.
Off-duty lifeguard Drustan Ward was one of those at the scene who raised the initial alarm.
'I could see they were in real danger'
Drustan said: "The surf was about 4-5 foot and a strong south westerly cross shore wind that had driven the surfer into the north corner at Porthtowan, a really difficult area.
"It appeared that unable to get out of the breaking waves, they had clambered out onto the rocks at the base of the cliffs.
"I could see that they were both getting washed back into the sea as the larger sets rolled in and were in real danger".
Multiple calls to Falmouth Coastguard
Drustan and multiple eyewitnesses called Falmouth Coastguard and the volunteer crew at St Agnes launched through dumping surf to join the Coastguard Helicopter, Porthtowan Cliff Rescue Team and the police in the rescue operation.
Due to their location in the large breaking surf, the lifeboat crew were unable to reach the casualties and stood by as support while the Coastguard helicopter winched them off the rocks and onto the cliffs above.
Both casualties were very shaken with a few cuts and bruises but otherwise unharmed.