TWO walkers who had been exploring the caves east of Tregantle Beach yesterday were winched to safety by the Coastguard rescue helicopter, after being trapped by the incoming tide.

A call was received by the Coastguard at around 4.15pm after a 999 call from the two walkers who were trapped on rocks below the cliffs on the beach in Whitsand Bay.

Two lifeboats from Looe as well as the Looe, Tamar and Plymouth coastguard rescue teams were mobilised.

Volunteer crews from Looe RNLI launched both the charity’s Atlantic 85 and D Class inshore lifeboats and headed for Whitsand Bay in poor weather and a freshening 30 knot wind.

After a brief search the crew spotted lights from mobile phone torches. But with a two-metre sea swell increasing in the shallower water, and waves driven by the wind and incoming tide crashing against a rocky shoreline, it was decided the best method of getting the casualties out would be by helicopter. Both stood by off shore to provide safety cover for the Coastguard rescue helicopter, whilst the Looe, Tamar and Plymouth coastguard rescue teams prepared a landing site.

The two walkers were reported safe and uninjured after being winched from the cliffs.

Dave Haines, Looe RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: ‘The walkers had been exploring the beach and caves when they realised the tide was coming in and cut off their exit from the beach. They had to climb onto rocks to escape the rising tide.

“It is a timely reminder to always check the tide times and keep aware of your surroundings as this incident happened two hours before high tide. At this time of year, the afternoons can get dark very quickly making it more dangerous to walk along the beach and rocks.”