Coastguard rescue teams rushed to the aid of eight people caught on rocks and in a rising tide at Maenporth.

HM Coastguard received multiple 999 calls from members of the public shortly before 4pm today (29th), reporting people waist deep in water on the rocks and unable to get to safety at Maenporth beach in Falmouth. Falmouth and Porthleven coastguard rescue teams, Falmouth RNLI inshore lifeboat and senior coastal operations officer Matt Rogers were immediately sent to help.

They found an urgent situation, with the tide coming in, time running out and the lifeboat unable to get close enough with the rocks jutting into the water. A water rescue was the only solution – so Matt and a coastguard rescue officer carried out tethered swims to bring all eight people to safety.

Senior officer Rogers commented: "It shows how suddenly you can find yourself in quite serious danger on our coasts. Tides so often catch people out, an area that seems perfectly safe when the tide is out can very quickly be surrounded by, or deep in, water when the tide comes in.

"Fortunately our coastguard rescue teams were able to rescue the group of people off the rocks, as the lifeboat couldn't get in close enough, and get everyone back to safety before anything tragic happened.

"We would advise everyone to check out our safety advice before visiting the coasts, and remember that, if you or anyone else gets into trouble at the coasts, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard."