RNLI lifeguards make multiple rescues in the region this weekend

RNLI lifeguards carried out multiple rescues across the south west as the season got underway at the weekend

• Monday 23 May, Sedgewell Cove

RNLI lifeguards in South Devon saved a man trying to swim across the River Avon at Sedgewell Cove this morning (23 May). He and another man got caught in a current taking them out to sea. The friend made it to shore by himself.

• Sunday 22 May, St Agnes

RNLI lifeguards rescued five people who got into difficulty while coasteering near St Agnes.

Lifeguard Tom Stewart-Leech spotted the group were in danger and quickly paddled out on rescue board. He was able to get the entire group to safety back on the cliff path and the lifeboat was stood down.

• Sunday 22 May, Holywell Bay

A RNLI lifeguard at Holywell Bay rescued a novice surfer using a paddleboard. The teenager had been caught in a large rip current and began drifting out to sea.

• Saturday 21 May, Gyllyngvase

Patrols at Gyllyngvase beach came to the aid of a stand-up paddle-boarder when he got into difficulty in strong winds. Lifeguard Hugo Newington-Smith noticed the paddle-boarder drifting towards the reef and alerted fellow team member Matthew Stone.

Matthew reached the casualty with his rescue board and assisted the learner safely back to shore.

• Saturday 21 May, Perranporth

An RNLI lifeguard at Perranporth beach rescued a novice bodyboarder caught out at 1pm on Saturday when strong rip currents were pulling to the south. Lifeguard Georgia Maughn helped him onto her rescue board and paddled him to safety.

• Saturday 21 May, Porthtowan

Lifeguards rescued two people who were at risk of being cut off by the tide in Porthtowan. They spotted them at the base of the cliff in a tidal cut off area and radioed a colleague, Matt Trewhella who drove to the northern end of the beach on the all-terrain vehicle and then waded round the headland to inform the pair about the danger of tides before escorting them back to the beach.