Trebarwith Strand RNLI lifeguards save angler’s life

Press release from RNLI website:

RNLI lifeguards at Trebarwith Strands in north Cornwall rescued a sea angler who had slipped and fallen from the rocks into rough water on Saturday (28 June) afternoon. The lifeguard’s own lives were at risk as they battled to save the unconscious man against a strong swell pushing them onto the rocks.

At around 3.30pm RNLI lifeguard Christopher Boundy was patrolling the area around the rocks when he heard shouts to the right of him. He went to investigate and saw a body floating face down in a notoriously dangerous gully known locally as ‘The washing machine’ due to the way water surges in at high tide and swirls around between the rocks.

Christopher continues:

‘I immediately radioed my colleague, RNLI lifeguard John Dugard to request backup, and entered the water with a rescue tube. When I reached the casualty, there was a great deal of water movement and all I could do was hold him above the water. We both became tangled in his fishing tackle and were getting smashed against the rocks by the strong swell.

When John came to assist, with his help I was able to untangle the fishing line, and together we managed to keep the casualty’s head above the water, while all three of us continued to get washed around in the swell. We eventually got pushed further up the gully and onto the rocks. We were still struggling to get the man fully out of the water, he was getting greyer, and when we checked there was no response. He needed treatment immediately. I began CPR while John rushed back to the unit to get the resuscitation kit and a spinal board.

A nurse who was on the beach, helped me with the CPR and we did a couple of cycles before John arrived, we put the oxygen mask on and managed to get him on a spinal board and bring him further up the beach, at this point we started to see signs of life, he began breathing and we found a faint pulse.

When the paramedics arrived, they made him comfortable until he was airlifted by Rescue 193 to Treliske hospital.

Both John and I were treated for the cuts and bruises we got. It was definitely one of the scariest rescues I have done. Nobody goes near ‘The washing machine’, its really dangerous and not somewhere you’d want to fall, especially not with a four foot surf running. At the time I didn’t really think about it, I just got on the the job of trying to save the man, but when I look back I can see just how serious it could have been.’

Bobby Renaud RNLI Area Lifeguard Manager for North Cornwall said he has the up most admiration for the lifeguards;

‘The RNLI lifeguards go through intense and comprehensive training to be able to deal with any situation they are faced with. Both Chris and John certainly put their training into practice on Saturday, their own lives were at risk in the dangerous conditions, and they should be proud of what they have achieved, its thanks to them that the fisherman is alive today.’