'Hundreds' of beachgoers slammed for taking selfies while woman swept out to sea

26 September 2023 , 19:02

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A helicopter helped the woman out of the water using a winch (Image: Unknown)

A surfer has hailed for going to the rescue of a woman who was swept out to sea as hundreds were slammed for just "watching and taking selfies".

The woman was caught in a rip current at Portreath Beach at around 4pm on Monday and a surfer managed to reach her before a Coastguard helicopter and a St Agnes RNLI Lifeboat arrived at the scene. Other members of the public had also attempted to get to her but the difficult conditions meant it was impossible. Peter Elliott said he and two others kept getting 'battered' by the six-foot waves.

Peter also slammed the "hundreds" of people who just stood and watched rather than tried to help. "Over a hundred people just watched a woman drowning today but only three of us went in to try to help her," he said. "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?"

The incident happened at Portreath Beach (H. M. Coastguard Portreath Rescue Team)

HM Coastguard Portreath Rescue Team said it did not "advise members of the public putting themselves at risk" but passed on its thanks to the surfer, reported CornwallLive. It said: "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."

The woman was brought to safety with a winchman lowered down to her and she was hauled up to the helicopter that returned her to the beach. The winch paramedic alongside other rescuers provided casualty care while the rest of the team set up a place for the helicopter to land.

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The Portreath Rescue Team said: "Working together the casualty was loaded into a stretcher and taken via R924 to hospital for further treatment... we wish the casualty a speedy recovery." It added: "Please remember to always swim on a lifeguarded beach and be wary of the sea conditions and local area. Unfortunately, many beaches are no longer lifeguarded now the main season is over. Portreath lifeguard service ended on September 24."

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Elliot Ball