RNLI lifesavers involved in multi-agency rescue at Whitsand Bay in Cornwall

RNLI lifeguards who were finishing their daily patrol on Tregantle beach were tasked by Falmouth Coastguards just after 6pm, Looe Inshore lifeboat and the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter were tasked shortly after.

RNLI lifeguards Adam Knight and Sam Luckhurst launched the Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) from Tregantle and quickly reached the first casualty and their dog who were cut off from a safe exit point on the beach, the lifeguards secured them in the IRB and transferred them to Looe’s larger Atlantic 85 lifeboat which was now on scene.

The second casualty had started to climb up the cliff, and had become stuck, unable to get further up, or return safely down.

The RNLI lifeguards and lifeboat crew stood by as the rescue helicopter lowered a winchman down to the casualty and safely extracted them from the cliff, transferring them to the Tamar Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team at the top of the cliff.

Looe RNLI lifeboat crew transported the first casualty and the dog back to Portwrinkle beach, while the second casualty was reported to be safe and well too.

Charlie Gillett, RNLI lifeguard supervisor says;

‘It was a really well coordinated rescue between all the emergency services involved and something that we train with our lifeboat colleagues frequently for. Unfortunately, the stretch of coast along south east Cornwall has very steep, high cliffs and lots of coves which are prone to being cut off at high tide. We’re currently on spring tides, which mean the high tides are very high and so tidal cuts off are more likely to occur. Our advice is to check your tide times before you venture out for your walk, and if in doubt please speak to the lifeguards. Thankfully the couple were rescued and are safe and well but it could have been a different situation should they have fallen from the cliff.’