RNLI volunteers from St Agnes lifeboat station worked with coastguard volunteers to rescue a swimmer who became exhausted in strong swell.

They then found that two other casualties who had gone to help the girl had become stranded on rocks in eight foot surf.

With the lifeboat unable to reach them due to the dangerous conditions, the casualties were airlifted to safety by RNAS Culdrose.

D class lifeboat Blue Peter IV was launched at about 5.45pm with Joe Daysh helm and Adam Garland and Richard Llewellyn crew, following reports from Falmouth Coastguard that a female swimmer had been spotted between Droskyn Point and Cathedral Caverns, Perranporth in difficulty.

Two girls had gone into the water but got into trouble; one had managed to get out and call the Coastguard to raise the alarm. The surf was approximately eight foot and the girl had been swimming parallel to the beach for 40 minutes but made very little head way.

The lifeboat headed to the scene and with the help of St Agnes coastguard team, was able to locate the casualties.

Adam, who was on the lifeboat, said: “We’d been made aware that two men were stuck at the base of the 100ft cliff near Cathedral Caverns trying to help the girl, so on arrival we went straight there but couldn’t get near as the waves were at least six foot.

“We radioed to the coastguard that a helicopter was needed and then went to the girl who was in the water and pulled her into the boat. She was very shaken and grateful that we were there.

“She was an experienced swimmer so it just goes to show it can happen very quickly to anybody. We checked her over and then took her back to the beach, before getting out through the surf to wait for the helicopter as we didn’t want the two men to re-enter the water.”

The lifeboat stood by while the two would-be rescuers were winched from the rocks and landed safely at the top of the cliff, where they were met by St Agnes coastguard.

Martyn Ward, who was acting as lifeboat operations manager at the time of the incident, said: “The conditions were extremely difficult; the two casualties were at the base of a 100ft cliff, surrounded by deep water and strong surf so it was just too dangerous for the inshore lifeboat to reach them.

“After the men had been airlifted, the lifeboat crew then did a sweep of the area to check there were no other people in difficulty, before returning to station.

“The rescue was a fantastic joined up effort by St Agnes Coastguard team, the volunteer lifeboat crew and the Royal Navy search and rescue helicopter.

“There are clearly still a lot of people using the water as the autumn swells begin to build so it’s paramount people take extra care around the coast and put safety first. Our advice is to always check the conditions, know your limitations in the water and if you see somebody in difficulty, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”