Rescues

One afternoon in October 2005 volunteer senior helmsman Gavin Forehead of St Agnes lifeboat station took part in a rescue that would result in him being awarded an RNLI silver medal after his actions saved the lives of two surfers – a man and a 12 year old girl – when they became trapped in a cave by the flooding tide and crashing waves.

The St Agnes RNLI inshore lifeboat, Blue Peter IV, had set out with five crew to exercise with Royal Navy search and rescue helicopter from Culdrose. No sooner had the exercise started when a real-life emergency began to unfold when Falmouth Coastguard requested the help of the lifeboat after receiving reports of people in trouble at the cove.

With fast flooding tides and 30 metre high cliffs surrounding the cove, helmsman Forehead immediately saw the dangers and decided to return two crew members back to base. He then used his local knowledge to navigate a shortcut inside rocks off St Agnes head.

The crew spotted four surfers in difficulty, two of whom managed to return to shore, but the other two, a young girl and a man, were being swept towards a small cave.

Two other surfers, ex-local authority lifeguards Tom Roberson and Jamie Kent, had also spotted the group and were on their way to offer help, Roberson using his surfboard and Kent swimming. Helmsman Forehead repositioned the lifeboat off the cave entrance. He could see all four people on the ledge but knew taking the lifeboat in to the cave would be dangerous.

He had to be careful becuase of the strong waves but when there was a lull, he applied full power and turning sharply to port he ran down sea to the entrance. He pulled up alongside the ledge and shouted to the casualties to ask them to jump.

The girl jumped but missed the lifeboat and went under the water, then the second casualty jumped in after her. Straightaway crew members Rory Bushe and James Watkins reached under the water, grabbed the girl and the man and lifted them both aboard.

Both casualties were landed safely on the shore but, concerned for the safety of Roberson and Kent, the lifeboat was re-launched and they were brought back to shore. 

RNLI crew members Rory Bushe and Jamie Watkins and surfers Tom Roberson and Jamie Watkins were also given awards for their contribution in the rescue.

(Adapted from St Agnes RNLI Lifeboat Yearbook 2007-2008)