WATCH: Swimmer airlifted to safety from Porth Beach

A swimmer has been winched to safety after getting into difficulty on the water after trying to climb the cliff at Porth Beach.

On 20 August, HM Coastguard coordinated the search and rescue response after receiving a call from Devon and Cornwall Police asking for assistance at the incident.

The man was reported to have been swimming and then tried to climb the cliff and got stuck.

Padstow and Newquay Coastguard Rescue Teams were sent along with the HM Coastguard helicopter from Newquay and the RNLI Lifeguards from Porth.

He was winched to the cliff top by the helicopter where he was helped by the coastguard rescue teams. He was uninjured.

Rob Farr, senior coastal operations officer for HM Coastguard says: “This is a reminder that the sea and its environs can be very unforgiving if you make a mistake.” 

“Thankfully someone who saw what had happened did exactly the right thing and called 999 and asked for the Coastguard. We will always respond when things go wrong but please do remember that the coast, the sea and the beach can punish you severely if you misjudge your actions.”