RNLI lifeguards on Perranporth beach in Cornwall have pulled 15 people to safety this afternoon after a flash rip current took them suddenly out of their depth.

The rescue of the group, which included children and teenagers, has led to a call for people to ensure they swim where there is lifeguard cover

Thelarge scale rescue happened at low tide around 12.15pm with a two to three foot swell breaking into shallow water, creating a shore dump.

The 13 bodyboarders and 2 bathers were between the red and yellow flags which have been set up just to the north of a rip current, when a sudden flash rip opened up and caught the water users off guard. They were swept quickly out of their depth.

Seeing the situation develop, the four RNLI lifeguards patrolling the red and yellow flagged area responded. Three took to rescue boards and one grabbed a rescue tube, bringing back 13 including two children. As back up arrived from the lifeguard supervisor and the team from the lifeguard unit at the top of the beach, the lifeguards launched the inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) and picked up the remaining two.

Simon Peppler, RNLI lifeguard supervisor said: "Low tide exposes the rip currents on Perranporth beach and the RNLI lifeguards are always extra vigilant around this time, with four lifeguards on patrol at the water’s edge.

"It’s essential that people stay between the red and yellow flags, should anyone need the lifeguard’s assistance, they can respond immediately and avert a serious incident. Please also try and listen to what the lifeguards are saying, because the waves are breaking so close to shore, it’s fairly easy to get out past them, but harder to get back in. Some water users are venturing too far out and then finding themselves in difficulty." 

The RNLI has created a free ‘beach finder’ mobile app to help people find their nearest lifeguarded beach. It can be downloaded from www.rnli.org/beach.