BUDE RNLI volunteer crew were called to rescue two people cut off by the tide south of Duckpool on Wednesday, June 19 with assistance from the Bude Coastguard Rescue Team and the Coastguard helicopter from Newquay.

Both the RNLI D-class inshore lifeboat George Bird and the RNLI Rescue Water Craft (RWC) launched at 5.36pm to reports of two people cut of by the tide south of Duckpool, three miles from Bude’s Summerleaze beach.

The crew were on scene in under ten minutes and found the male casualty on the beach awaiting rescue and the female casualty requiring rescue from approximately 15ft up the cliff face.

The RWC dropped one crew member on the beach, with the male casualty, to assess the scene. The RNLI volunteer crew members requested assistance from the Coastguard who assessed the scene and decided that a rope rescue was impractical and Rescue 924, the Coastguard helicopter, was needed to undertake the safe rescue of the female casualty.

The crew helped the male casualty aboard the lifeboat where he was assessed for injuries. The Coastguard helicopter winched the female casualty to safety. Once both casualties were safe, Bude RNLI volunteers took the male casualty to Duckpool beach and the lifeboat then made its way back to Summerleaze beach. The lifeboat was re-housed and ready for service again by 8.15pm.

Andy Cloke, volunteer helm on the D-class lifeboat, said: “This shout highlights the importance of the Rescue Water Craft as it is able to access the shallows to assess a landing site for the inshore lifeboat. It also allowed us to have more crew on scene to assist the rescue.

“Bude and the surrounding area has many tidal beaches, bays and coves that become cut off and very dangerous when the tide starts to come in. The RNLI always recommends that you check the tide times before setting off on coastal walks or exploring beaches and that you always carry a means of calling for help in case of emergency. If you do find yourself in trouble around the coast, or see someone needing help, phone 999 and ask for the Coastguard. The Coastguard will request the assistance of the RNLI crew when their help is needed. The RNLI volunteer crew are on call 24 hours a day, every single day.”