A keen-eyed member of the public helped save the life of a swimmer in Falmouth last night after spotting them in difficulties from the cliff path.

The swimmer had entered the water at Swanpool Beach but the sea conditions had taken them eastwards towards the Gyllyngvase reef.

A member of the public on the cliff path between the two beaches had spotted the swimmer's predicament and had called 999 to alert the Coastguard, who in turn requested the launch of the inshore lifeboat and contacted the Gyllyngvase lifeguards.

One of the lifeguards ran from the beach along the shoreline with their rescue board to the old sewage outfall, where they paddled out to the casualty, supporting them in the moderate breaking sea until Falmouth's inshore lifeboat arrived.

A lifeboat crew of Tom Bird, Adam West and Jemima Henstridge-Blows with Jamie Connolly at the helm launched from its slipway at 5.34pm, just eight minutes after being contacted by Falmouth Coastguard.

Having rounded Pendennis Point the crew headed towards the last know position of the casualty, which was on the west side of the Gyllyngvase reef.

Arriving on scene at 5.41pm, they spotted the casualty off the old sewage outfall being supported by a lifeguard on his rescue board.

 

The swimmer had left from Swanpool but was taken towards Gyllngvase File picture: Sandra Roskruge/Packet Camera Club

The swimmer had left from Swanpool but was taken towards Gyllngvase File picture: Sandra Roskruge/Packet Camera Club

 

A Falmouth RNLI spokesperson said: "The inshore lifeboat was quickly manoeuvred so the casualty, lifeguard and their rescue board could be recovered to the lifeboat.

"Once on board the lifeboat, the casualty was checked over by a crew member trained in casualty care and was found to be exhausted and suffering from the cold.

"The lifeguard was taken back to Gyllyngvase Beach, where they were dropped off at 5.45pm to paddle ashore, while the casualty was taken back to the lifeboat station where they landed just under ten minutes later.

"The casualty was warmed up and monitored while one of the lifeboat crew drove to Swanpool Beach to recover the casualty’s clothes and personal items.

"Once the casualty had warmed up, they were allowed to go home, but were advised to contact the emergency services if their condition later deteriorated."

The inshore lifeboat was recovered on to its slipway at just after 6pm, where it was refuelled and made ready for service by 6.30pm.

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