RNLI lifeguards at Perranporth saved two lives during the busy bank holiday weekend.
RNLI lifeguards, George Hudson, Terri Warner and Rosalie Longman came to the aid of two casualties who had got into difficulty whilst surfing at Perranporth beach on Thursday, May 23, at about 6pm.
The incident happened just as the RNLI lifeguards were packing down to finish for the day when a member of the public approached them having spotted two surfers were in danger in the gap, an area of the beach between Chapel Rock and the headland, which usually has strong rip currents.
Senior lifeguard, George Hudson, responded quickly and drove the lifeguard truck to the water’s edge before paddling out on the rescue board where he saved a 13-year-old boy, who was being assisted by a member of the public. George paddled him back to shore and administered casualty care.
Meanwhile, RNLI lifeguards, Terri Warner and Rosalie Longman had successfully rescued a 36-year-old man caught in the same rip current, getting him safely back to shore and provided casualty care while the team waited for paramedics to arrive.
Paramedics arrived at about 6.30pm and the lifeguards helped get the casualties to the ambulance where they were then taken to hospital.
RNLI lead lifeguard supervisor for Perranporth Anton Page said: “Our lifeguards did a fantastic job in responding after hours to two casualties who had been caught in a dangerous rip current at Perranporth beach.
“Thankfully our lifeguards were still on the beach and able to assist but we remind people that lifeguards patrol beaches from 10am to 6pm and if you are planning on going in the water, go to a lifeguarded beach between these hours.
“Furthermore, if you do get in to trouble remember to Float to Live - lie on your back with your ears submerged and fight your instinct to panic and wait for help to arrive.”
The rest of the weekend saw high winds and messy surf and RNLI lifeguards at Perranporth beach alone responded to more than 12 incidents in a two-hour period on Saturday, May 25.