Bude RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew launched yesterday to reports of four people cut off by the tide at Crackington Haven. The D class inshore lifeboat George Bird along with a Rescue Water Craft were both launched just after 3.30pm.

On arrival at the scene the crew discovered that two people were stranded on rocks, whilst the other two had managed to swim safely back to the beach.

Bude RNLI volunteer crew member, Gavin Goatcher, was dropped on the rocks to check over the casualties when one person was overwhelmed by a large wave and swept into the sea. Gavin promptly went into the water to help the casualty.

The Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Newquay joined the rescue and was able to winch the casualty from the water, before returning to winch the second casualty from the rocks.

Gavin was picked up by the lifeboat and the volunteer crew returned to the station.

Chris Wilson, Bude Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: ‘We would advise anyone visiting the coast to check the tide and conditions before setting out. If you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble always call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’