Youths trapped four hours on Trevellas rocks near St Agnes

Three young people went out onto the rocks near Trevellas Cove. Only one of them walked back to raise the alarm.

A rising tide and a 999 call

St Agnes RNLI’s D-Class inshore lifeboat launched on Tuesday evening after reports of two youths in distress on rocks near Trevellas Cove, close to St Agnes. Volunteer crew were paged at 8:46pm and had the boat in the water within minutes, making quick passage to the neighbouring cove.

A member of the public had spotted the youths and dialled 999, passing the situation to the Coastguard. The third young person had managed to get ashore to call for help.

Reaching the boys

On approaching the rocks off Trevellas, the crew saw two young people waving and shouting for help. A significant swell made a seaward approach unsafe, so the helm took the boat round to the sheltered shore side of the rocks. From there a crew member was able to join the casualties.

The RNLI casualty-care trained crew member found the boys safe but cold. They had been stuck on the rocks for more than four hours.

With help from St Agnes Coastguard Cliff Rescue team, the crew member got the two casualties to the safety of Trevellas beach. The lifeboat then made a careful approach to the shore, brought the pair aboard and transferred them to Trevaunance Cove.

The casualties were taken to St Agnes RNLI Lifeboat station, given hot drinks and assessed by a medical professional. Lifts were then arranged to get them home.

What to do if the tide cuts you off

It happens fast. You scramble out onto the rocks with a couple of hours of daylight left, and the sea quietly closes the way back behind you.

Volunteer lifeboat helm Ed Schwarz said, “It is all too easy to get trapped by the rising tide. It is so important to check tide times and always have a means of communicating with emergency services. Some mobile phones will allow you to make 999 calls even if there is no network signal. Look for a little image of a satellite where your phone normally shows signal strength.”

The lifeboat was refuelled, rehoused and ready for service at 9.24pm.