A hero surfer who bravely rescued a drowning woman has blasted other beachgoers after “hundreds” chose to stand by and watch the scene unfold.
The dramatic incident was at Portreath Beach yesterday around 4 pm. The Coastguard helicopter and a St Agnes RNLI Lifeboat were deployed after a rip current carried the woman out to sea.
However, by the time rescuers arrived, a surfer had already reached the drowning woman.
Despite the treacherous conditions, several members of the public also attempted to assist the woman, only to be thwarted by dangerous six-foot waves.
Surfer Peter Elliott and two others battled through the waves to reach the woman.
Once the woman was safe, Elliot fumed at the behaviour of other beachgoers who chose to watch.
He told CornwallLive: “Over 100 people just watched a woman drowning today but only three of us went in to try to help her.
“This poor lady is beyond incredible, she survived but hundreds of onlookers taking selfies should just hang their heads in shame. Can you imagine how that poor lady fighting for her life felt looking at the beach seeing everyone just watching and doing nothing?”
HM Coastguard Portreath Rescue Team thanked Elliot and friends who quickly rushed to the woman’s aid, but did stress that they don’t “advise members of the public putting themselves at risk”.
A spokesperson said: “Shortly after 4pm the team were paged again to a casualty caught in a rip current on Portreath beach.
“Due to the nature of the call Coastguard Helicopter R924 and St Agnes RNLI Lifeboat were also tasked.
“We were on scene quickly just as a surfer in the area had got to the casualty. Due to the sea conditions making a return to the beach difficult, [the helicopter] lowered a winchman down to recover the casualty and return them to the beach.
“The winch paramedic alongside members of the team provided casualty care whilst the rest of the team set up a [helicopter landing site] for the helicopter to land. Working together the casualty was loaded into a stretcher and taken … to hospital for further treatment.
“Although we don’t advise members of the public putting themselves at risk, thanks must go to the surfer and friend who aided the casualty whilst the emergency services were en route.
“We wish the casualty a speedy recovery.”
The rescue team went on to add that many beaches are no longer lifeguarded now the summer season is over, with Portreath lifeguard service already ending on September 24.
They urged beachgoers to “always swim on a lifeguarded beach and be wary of the sea conditions and local area”.
