Latest Shout
24 October 2008
Three trapped by tide on Towan
Island.
Newquay RNLI volunteers were tasked on
Friday 24th October 2008 at 14:20 hrs BST to assist three
people cut off by the tide on Towan Island, just outside the harbour.
Falmouth coastguards received a 999 call
from a member of the public reporting three children trapped by the
incoming tide on Towan Island. The children, all about 9/10 years old
were on the rock above what was the island’s swimming pool. There was a
heavy ground sea running under the bridge, around the island making
their return path through chest high water unadvisable.
A couple on holiday had spotted the
children were cut off. Concerned that it would be a couple of hours
before the tide receded, they dialled 999.
Newquay’s D class lifeboat, Valerie
Wilson launched with Joe Emmett, Ian Jepson and Daniel Gilbert aboard.
Meanwhile another family of holiday
makers had also spotted the children’s plight. George Farrant had been
enjoying the sea and was still in his wetsuit. He immediately leapt into
action, wading through the ground sea to reach the children. He
successfully bought one child back ashore through the channelling surf.
George’s father, Lance, stripped to his
underwear and followed his son to assist the children. On reaching the
island he decided that the heavy ground sea combined with the cold made
it inadvisable to return to shore with one of the children. He sensibly
remained on the island ensuring the remaining casualties were safe and
reassured.
As Lance returned to the island local
surfer Dave Sinclair bought one of the casualties ashore on his surf
board. George remained on the island with his father and the remaining
child.
Arriving on scene the lifeboat crew
discovered three people on the island, one original casualty and the two
heroic rescuers. Volunteer crewman Ian stayed with the lifeboat whilst
Joe and Daniel waded to the stranded trio to assess the situation.
Unable to motor the lifeboat in the crew raised the propeller and
dragged the lifeboat to the Island. The casualties were then transferred
back to the safety of the beach.
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