National Trust

Fears for missing walkers

Updated 22.58 Mon Jul 02 2007

Keywords: cornwall, hunt, missing, sea, walkers

The search for a missing lifeguard and his friend has been scaled down after the pair went missing during a trip to explore a sea cane at low tide.

The hunt began when the the couple disappeared after walking along the beach this afternoon to explore at Bedruthan Steps, near Mawgan Porth, Cornwall.

At one stage three lifeboats, a rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose, RNLI craft, coastguard teams and lifeguards were involved in the search

The man, a New Zealand national, and the woman, were both wearing wet suits when they went to look at the cave, which is exposed only at very low tide.

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman said that coastguard rescue teams from Newquay and St Merryn were on standby to go down cliffs and into the cave when the tide was lower shortly after midnight.

Earlier, an RNLI spokesperson said a lifeguard who saw the pair set out for the cave did not see them return, so began a search which found nothing.

"We have no idea what happened or where they are, and on that basis the search was launched," said the spokesperson.

At one stage three lifeboats, a rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose, RNLI craft, coastguard teams and lifeguards were involved in the search.

Andy Cattrell, Watch Manager at Falmouth Coastguard said: "Presently weather conditions locally are a big swell and surf in the area with south westerly winds of 15 knots creating the rougher conditions."