The Porth Beach rescue that saved 11 lives in one afternoon

Eleven people got into trouble in the sea within the space of a few minutes, and for a while last Sunday evening, nobody watching from the sand at Porth Beach knew quite how it was going to end.

A group swept beyond the flags

It happened on the evening of last Sunday, 30 August. RNLI lifeguards on duty at Porth Beach in Newquay were alerted to a large group of people in distress after they had drifted out of the red and yellow flags and into an area of stronger currents and deeper water.

Around 11 beachgoers were caught out. Strong currents, a large swell, spring tides and extra river flow following recent rainfall had combined near the mouth of the Porth River to create conditions far more serious than anything visible from the beach.

Eight brought in from the first group

RNLI lifeguard Louis Harris was first into the water, reaching the nearest cluster of swimmers and using his rescue board to support them. One by one, he brought eight casualties safely back to shore. Elodie Sykes swam out to join him with a rescue tube, part of a coordinated effort to reach everyone in trouble at once.

📷Credit: RNLI

A second casualty, submerged and unresponsive

A second, smaller group had drifted further offshore, and it was here that the incident turned serious. RNLI lifeguard Harry Barea reached them to find one casualty had gone under, unconscious and unresponsive in the water. Harry gave immediate assistance and brought that casualty and two others back to the beach.

Once ashore, the casualty lost consciousness again and needed emergency care. HM Coastguard and the ambulance service were called in to support the lifeguard team. All 11 people were eventually recovered safely from the water, and one was passed into the care of paramedics for further assessment. A member of the public on a foil surfboard also helped bring one casualty back to shore.

📷Credit: RNLI

‘This could have ended very differently’

RNLI Senior Lifeguard Dave Kelly praised the response to what he called a significant and complex incident involving a large group of swimmers who had got into difficulty in challenging conditions.

“The teamwork shown by the lifeguards was outstanding,” Dave said. “With strong currents, deeper water and a large number of people involved, this incident could have ended very differently. The quick actions, professionalism and training of the lifeguard team played a vital role in achieving a positive outcome.”

The RNLI is reminding beachgoers to check local safety advice before entering the water and to always carry a means of calling for help where possible. Anyone who sees someone in difficulty in the water should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

RNLI lifeguard patrols run daily at Porth Beach between 10am and 6pm until 27 September, and at Fistral between 10am and 6pm until 1 November.

📷Credit: RNLI