A FAMILY of four were pulled from the sea by an off-duty fireman after going into the water to rescue their pet dogs on Christmas Eve afternoon.

Two boys, aged nine and 14, went into the sea first at Carlyon Bay, St Austell, to try to recover their two dogs. But they were overcome by the strong waves and the 16-year-old sister and mother went in after them.

An off-duty fireman rescued all four members of the family from the heavy seas in a force 4 wind. The sea temperature was just eight degrees and they were all suffering from hypothermia.

The alarm was raised by a member of the public who rang 999. Brixham Coastguard called out the St Austell Coastguard rescue team and alerted the ambulance service. A rescue helicopter was also alerted and the Fowey RNLI lifeboat was launched.

Treated

The coastguard rescue team was the first to arrive and found the three children and their mother on the beach suffering from the effects of being in the cold water.

They treated them until an ambulance arrived.

The rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose and the Cornwall Air Ambulance landed on the beach and the four were taken to Treliske Hospital at Truro.

The dogs were reported as being unhurt.

Fiona Iris, watch manager, Brixham Coastguard, said: 'We would recommend that people keep their pet dogs on a lead near the water.

'Please do not enter the water after your dogs. More often than not dogs will get themselves out of trouble,' she added.