A person who entered freezing water in temperatures of minus 2 in the early hours of the morning had to be 'snatch' rescued by a member of a coastguard rescue team.

Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team were called to Penryn at 2.21am this morning by the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

Reports had been received that a person had entered the water when the temperature was around -2 with a heavy ground frost.

The team on scene found the casualty in the water and a member of the team was forced to carry out a 'snatch' rescue to get the out.

A snatch rescue is when a Coastguard Rescue Officer enters the water, tethered to a line and swims to rescue or recover a casualty in distress.

They managed to get the person out and had to warm them up before handing them over to the ambulance service and they were taken to hospital for treatment. It is not known why the person entered the water.

In a post on Facebook the Coastguard said: "We were tasked at 0221 this morning following a request from South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust for assistance at an incident in Penryn.

"Team members on scene located the casualty and carried out a ‘snatch’ rescue of a person who had entered the water.

"The person was successfully rescued and warmed up before being handed over to Ambulance personnel for onward transport to hospital.

"The air temperature was around -2 with a heavy ground frost."