VIDEO: Pink swim hat praised in rescue

A swimmer who was swept out to sea at Little Fistral beach in Cornwall has been rescued after being spotted from the shore.

The woman had a pink tow float and a pink hat which have subsequently been credited for making her easily visible and thus helping to save her life. She was easily seen by the caller who rang 999 and asked for the coastguard.

Newquay and Padstow coastguard rescue teams were sent along with both Newquay RNLI lifeboats and the coastguard helicopter from Newquay.

“This swimmer had done a considerable amount to give herself a chance of being rescued if things went wrong,” says Matt Rogers, team leader with HM Coastguard. “She not only had a float that was a bright pink colour but was wearing a hat of the same colour too. It meant our caller could help give us information that enabled the swimmer to be rescued quickly.

“It’s a reminder of how quickly things can go wrong even for the most experienced and why you should do all you can to help us help you if the worst happens.”

Newquay Surf Life Saving Club was involved in the incident. “Today our volunteer lifesaving team was involved in a multi agency response involving the RNLI and HMCG,” says a statement on Facebook. “Our members were first alerted to a woman in distress by a local surfer and immediately responded with a rescue tube and board. The Newquay lifeboat and HMCG helicopter speedily retrieved the casualty from challenging sea conditions whilst our club members then assisted the HMCG ground crew in landing the helicopter on Fistral beach. A happy ending thanks to incredible teams working together.”

Newquay RNLI also posted: “Newquay’s RNLI lifeboat volunteers were paged for an immediate launch at 12.45pm on Saturday (6 November) after a 999 call was received, reporting a swimmer in difficulties at Little Fistral.

“The RNLI crew responded from the harbour and launched the charity’s D class inshore lifeboat from Towan Beach in bright conditions and a moderate south westerly breeze.

“The lifeboat crew were quickly on scene at Little Fistral, where the woman was rescued from the sea by the crew of the coastguard search and rescue helicopter and checked over by the coastguard winch paramedic, before being landed safely on the beach.

“Colleagues from Newquay and Padstow Coastguard Rescue Teams were also alerted and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have since praised the woman for giving herself the best chance of rescue by using a highly visible pink tow float and wearing a bright cap, which meant the 999 caller was able to provide accurate information on her position as emergency crews responded.”

Beach image and video courtesy of Newquay Surf Life Saving Club.