Lives saved in dramatic rescue on coast in Cornwall near Mousehole

This was the situation facing coastguards and the RNLI on Wednesday evening, when they launched into action just after 7.30pm.

With Falmouth Coastguard Operations Centre handing the call, Penlee RNLI's all-weather lifeboat Ivan Ellen was launched, while Penzance Coastguard Rescue Team was scrambled.

They were just about to begin a search of the whole area between Marazion and Perranuthnoe when information came through to Falmouth Coastguard that the casualty was south of Mousehole.

A Penlee RNLI spokesperson said: "A young person had dialled 999 to report that he was lost on the shoreline in the dark and required help, but his battery ran out before giving his exact position.

"The ‘Ivan Ellen’ steamed across the bay in a southerly force 6-7 [winds] and was joined by our inshore lifeboat Mollie and Ivor Dent to assist in a shoreline search.

"Using two powerful searchlights and a thermal image camera the casualty was located on rocks about 10ft above sea level near Mousehole Cave."

The all-weather lifeboat found both boys Picture: Penlee RNLI

However, due to the poor onshore sea conditions it was unsafe to attempt an evacuation by either lifeboat.

Penzance Coastguard Rescue Team arrived on scene shortly after and made their way to the boy, but they were also not able to evacuate the casualty back up the cliff due to the sea conditions and dangerous accessibility. A decision was then made to call for back up from the Coastguard Rescue 924 Helicopter.

Both lifeboat’s remained on scene, keeping searchlights on the casualty until the helicopter arrived just before 8pm.

"A winch man was lowered, and after some impressive flying by the pilot in a very difficult position, the young lad was winched to safety," said the Penlee spokesperson.

The route the emergency services took in the rescue Picture: Penlee RNLI

The evening was not to end there though. Whilst en route to Penzance Heliport to be reunited with his parents, the boy informed the helicopter crew that he was with a friend who could also be in need of help.

Both lifeboats immediately began another search along the shoreline and once again it was the all-weather lifeboat Ivan Ellen that located the second casualty, further along the coast.

Rescue 924 arrived on scene, recovered the second boy, and returned to Penzance Heliport to reunite him with his family.

At 9.40pm both lifeboats and the Coastguard Rescue teams were stood down and given permission to return to station by Falmouth Coastguard .

The Penlee spokesperson said afterwards: "A job well done by both lifeboat crews, the Coastguard Rescue Teams, Rescue 924 Helicopter and Falmouth Coastguard who co-ordinated the incident. Two young lives were saved this evening."