FOOTAGE of a dramatic rescue of an elderly walker cut off by the tide in Newquay has been released.

HM Coastguard has published the heart-stopping rope rescue of a 73-year-old man who became stranded at Towan Beach on Wednesday, December 3.

Newquay Coastguard Rescue Team arrived to find the elderly man perched on rocks beyond the beach’s breakwater, around 15 feet away from a raging tide and the safety of the shore.

The team called for Newquay’s lifeboat, but they knew that harsh and rocky conditions posed a significant danger to the lifeboat crew so concluded a rescue by boat might not be possible.

Coastguards made a split decision to lift the stricken walker from rocks via rope rescue. A team member was rigged up in a dry suit with a personal flotation device and floating line while fellow coastguards prepared apparatus and climbing equipment.

The rope technician was lowered down and managed to pull the elderly man to safety as fierce waves crashed around them.

Coastguard rescue officer Jeremy Griffiths said: “There was a call from Falmouth Coastguard to our team, and they tell us that there’s a man on Towan beach who needs help getting up some steps.

“On the face of it, it seemed a very routine callout for Newquay’s Coastguard Rescue Team, a simpler beach job for the well-experienced crew. Nevertheless, they were quick to respond, gearing up and dispatching to the scene in minutes.

“The man had been walking the beach, and, after seeing a walker in front of him walk around the breakwater, he’d followed and found himself caught by the tide.

“We quickly realised this was a far bigger job than described, and there was a high chance that our casualty could fall into the sea at any moment.

“The tide and swells were coming in, with the water now reaching the man’s feet, so we decided to prepare a technical rope rescue.

“We alerted our flank team at Padstow as a fallback and the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter, who were on their way.

“The waves were crashing and engulfing our rope technician. The casualty hadn’t had much energy left and was exhausted when coastguards reached him. It was quite a close call.

One of the Coastguard team at the cliff is a paramedic and received the man for assessment when he was lifted to the top.

The elderly man visited the Coastguard Station after his rescue to thank the Newquay team.

Mr Griffiths said: “This was a really good team job, with eight people pulling the rescue off in the speed they did, working incredibly well, while having a plan B in case we need to enter the water.”

“The tide catches people out all the time, even those that are local or experienced walkers and beach users.

“Whenever you think you’re due to make it back, add extra time. Tide is never an exact science and given swell, wind, and weather conditions, you can’t count on it. Be mindful and know the dangers.”