Rip current warning after teens swept out to sea

Lifeguards are warning beachgoers about the dangers of rip currents after a group of teenagers got into trouble in the sea.

Three Gyllyngvase Surf Lifesaving Club members helped rescue five young people caught in a powerful riptide at the Falmouth beach on Monday during strong easterly winds.

RNLI lifeguard Matthew Stone supported the club members with the rescue and said Gyllyngvase had a "particularly strong rip current" on the right of the beach which could become "extremely dangerous" during easterly winds.

"We strongly advise beach users to avoid entering the water in this area under those conditions," he added.

The rescue took place during Gyllyngvase Surf Life Saving Club's first voluntary patrol of the season.

The members saw five teenagers enter the water near the fixed rip current, two of whom were swept out to sea.

Club chair Lois Leonard entered the water with a rescue board and Stone followed.

Stone said: "When I reached Lois, she had two teenage girls clinging to the back of her board around 100m (328ft) from shore.

"Together we brought them safely back, while their friends were assisted by club member Cags Gilbert and checked over on the beach.

"Thankfully Lois and Cags were on patrol today, the outcome could have been very different."

"If you see someone in difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard," he added.

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