Six minutes later, at 3.39 pm the lifeboat was on its way to the scene, arriving at 3.46 pm. In the meantime, the walkers who had first spotted the punt had called the Coast Guard to report seeing a person struggling in the water nearby, so the Coast Guard immediately scrambled Rescue Helicopter 193 from RNAS Culdrose to assist as required.

On arrival at the scene the lifeboat crew spotted the oyster fisherman close to the shore, with the two walkers helping him to gain a foot hold on the rocks. He was unable to help himself because of his exhausted state having been caught in the overfalls that run close to that point in the strong flood tide. On closing the shore two of the lifeboat crew leapt into the water, scrambled ashore, and assisted the walkers to get the casualty onto the rocks, where he was given immediate first aid. It was quite apparent that the casualty was in a bad way so he was immediately put into the lifeboat to be taken to safety. By this time, only five minutes after launch of the lifeboat, Rescue 193 was in the vicinity. Hovering overhead, the helicopter lowered a crewman into the lifeboat and one minute later, the casualty was being hoisted into the helicopter and on his way to RCH Treliske.

Having ensured that the casualty was in safe hands the lifeboat crew then picked up the drifting Oyster Punt and towed it to a safe berth on the pontoons to the east of Channals Creek before heading back to the lifeboat station.

The lifeboat arrived back at the station just after 5 pm and after washing down, refuelling and restocking was ready for immediate service again at 5.25 pm.

It is thanks to the prompt action of the rescue services, HM Coast Guard, Rescue Helicopter 193 from Culdrose, the Falmouth volunteer lifeboat crew, and the two members of the public who first raised the alarm that the casualty is now in safe hands at RCH Treliske. A spokesman from A & E Treliske stated “The casualty is recovering well but he is a very lucky man”.

Notes to editors
• The crew of the inshore lifeboat for this rescue mission were: Diane Bush (Helm); Clare Angove and Tom Bird.
• Some video footage of the incident is available if needed.