A surf life saving club member has spoken of the split second decision she made to rescue a man and a boy caught in a rip current at Holywell Bay on Sunday afternoon.

Emily Greenwood, aged 50, from Holywell Surf Life Saving Club, was walking on the beach when the drama unfolded and did not hesitate to strip down and swim out in the freezing water and rescue the casualties at about 1pm.

A 10-year-old boy was body boarding towards the south end of the beach when he got caught in a rip current.

His mum’s partner, who was standing on the beach, decided to strip off his clothes and swim out to rescue the boy but soon got into trouble himself in the rip current.

Emergency services including Newquay and St Agnes Coastguard Search and Rescue Teams, Coastguard Rescue helicopter 924 and South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust arrived to discover Emily had single-handedly rescued the pair.

The Coastguard rescue helicopter took the man to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro as he was suffering from hypothermia and water on the lungs. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Emily said: “I was halfway across Holywell bay, enjoying the sunshine with my disabled son in his beach wheelchair when I heard the boy call for help. 

“I guessed he was caught in a rip current.

"I saw the man strip and enter the water and decided to head over and check he knew how to exit a rip. He didn’t.

“The boy's mum and I shouted from the shore for them to swim across the rip but they didn’t hear.

“There was no one else close enough to help. I had no choice but to enter the water and help them. 

“I stripped to my underwear and swam out. 

“I reassured them we were going to be ok and using the bodyboard we kicked and paddled our way across the rip into safer water together. 

“On exiting the water the man collapsed, and a dog walker called Paul from Falmouth helped me and him out of the water up onto the beach. 

“Another couple who’d collected our clothes from the incoming tide helped to keep him warm while Paul telephoned 999. 

“Help soon arrived from Rhys Ellis Davies a trained surf club member and Dave Bulley a local coastguard.

“Followed by a team of coastguards, paramedics and the Coastguard helicopter. “I’m glad I was there and able to provide assistance and feel very lucky that it was such a good outcome.

“I’m overwhelmed by people’s response to my actions.”

Steve Peck, the chairman of Holywell Bay Surf Life Saving Club, said: “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.

“It’s a famous quote from Bob Marley which became a reality for Emily Greenwood.

“A young lad went body boarding and got caught in a rip current and his father understandably completely distressed, stripped off and headed in to rescue his son.

"It wasn’t long until they were both in trouble. “Emily was on a beach walk and she instinctively spotted the unfolding drama, remained composed, threw her clothes to one side and swam out into the freezing water totally alone and rescued them both solo. 

“Dave Bulley, Rhys and the coastguard team were quickly on the scene and the coastguard helicopter landed and took the casualty to the Royal Cornwall hospital with suspected hypothermia and water on the lungs. 

“I saw Emily at the hut shivering afterwards and with a low key panache, she was emotional and just pleased she was able to get the casualties to shore. 

“From everyone at the Club I’d like to thank Emily for her courage, her determination and her instinctive, selfless actions which, in this case undoubtedly saved two lives. You make the Club very, very proud. “

HM Coastguard said: "It is an incident which reveals the hidden dangers of a rip current, which can rapidly carry you away from shore and a place of safety.

"It is vital that you do not fight a rip current if you find yourself in one but try to swim parallel to shore until you escape its grasp.

"Try to raise the alarm but waving your arms in the air and stay calm. Rip currents are very hard to spot and even expert swimmers can quickly get into trouble.

"At this time of year, with the water so cold, we also advise that anyone entering the water wear a wetsuit. “As ever, advice if you’re struggling is to Float to Live by lying on your back, relaxing and stretching your arms and legs like a starfish."