North Fistral rescue: tide traps group as Newquay teams scramble

The sea had already turned by the time the call came in. At just after 7pm on Tuesday evening, a group found themselves stuck on rocks at North Fistral, on the edge of Newquay, with the water rising around them and nowhere left to go.

📷Credit: Newquay Coastguard Rescue Team

Tasked within minutes

Newquay Coastguard Rescue Team said it was tasked at 1909hrs on Tuesday, alongside Newquay RNLI Lifeboats, HM Coastguard Padstow and the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, after reports of casualties cut off by the tide on the rocks at North Fistral.

The town’s inshore lifeboat launched alongside members of the public who were already on scene, and between them they got everyone safely onto the beach, where ambulance crews checked them over for injuries. The Coastguard Rescue Helicopter, callsign 924, was also sent to the scene but was stood down once it became clear the casualties were being brought in by boat and on foot.

Thanks to the people who got there first

Newquay Coastguard Rescue Team singled out the part played by people who were nowhere near being part of the official response. Local businesses, members of Newquay’s surfing community and Newquay Blue Balls all helped before the emergency services arrived in force, and the team thanked them by name in its update.

Another one outside the patrol hours

The team also flagged something that keeps coming up. This was one of several recent incidents in the area that have happened outside the hours RNLI Lifeguards Newquay are on the beach, which currently run from 10am to 6pm. Their message to anyone heading to the coast was straightforward: stick to lifeguarded beaches during patrol hours, and follow the advice given on the day.

If you see someone in difficulty at the coast, call 999 and ask for the coastguard.

📷Credit: Newquay Coastguard Rescue Team