Surfers rescue three teens from rip current

Three teenagers got into difficulty off Summerleaze beach in Cornwall

Surfers have helped rescue three swimmers from a rip current on a Cornish beach.

Falmouth Coastguard said the swimmers, aged between 16 and 17, got into difficulty off Summerleaze beach in Bude at about 19:00 BST on Tuesday.

Two surfers used their boards to help the swimmers float in the water, and off-duty lifeguards helped with the rescue. All three swimmers were found safe when emergency services arrived.

The coastguard said rescuing the swimmers was the "correct thing to do" on this occasion, but it advised people against entering the water to try to help.

'Safe and well'

Bude inshore lifeboat, Bude Coastguard Rescue Team and a rescue helicopter were sent to the scene.

Eddie Robertson, from Falmouth Coastguard, said the inshore lifeboat was able to take the surfers and swimmers back to shore "safe and well".

He said the surfers made the right choice as "they're already out there and have their surfboards and are able to assist that's great".

"We really would advise anybody else, do not enter the water to try and help," he said.