It was another busy afternoon at Newquay's beaches this afternoon (Friday), following a series of rescues yesterday.

Lifeguards and Newquay Coastguard Rescue Team were both at Watergate Bay, where two casualties were rescued from the sea and taken away by ambulance. Their condition at this time is not known officially, although it has been reported locally that one was taken to hospital and the other to the Boardmasters' medical centre. 

There were further reports. of someone missing, with the beach flagged off while the search takes place. It is understood that has since been resolved. 

One local reported at the time: “Lifeguards and search and rescue everywhere and the beach has now been red flagged.”

Confirming the earlier incident, HM Coastguard told the Packet: “At around 2.30pm this afternoon (Friday, August 9) HM Coastguard received report of two casualties at Watergate Bay in Cornwall.

“The Newquay Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to assist Watergate Bay Lifeguards with the extraction of casualties from the coast, who were put into the care of South Western Ambulance Service.”

At around the same time, coastguards were also involved in dealing with an unknown object at Mawgan Porth, with the lifeboat called in.

However, the RNLI crew were stood down when it confirmed the objection question was seaweed.

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard added: “At around 2.20pm this afternoon (Friday, August 9) HM Coastguard called RNLI Newquay Lifeboat to attend a report of an unknown object at Mawgan Porth in Cornwall.

“The lifeboat was stood down before arrival on scene, as the object was confirmed as seaweed by RNLI Mawgan Porth Lifeguards using a rescue water craft.”

It follows a very busy evening for Newquay Coastguard Rescue Team on Thursday, with a number of rescues at beaches in the town that also involved the town's lifeboats and Boardmasters lifeguards. 

Coastguards have been called to a number of Newquay beaches over the past 24 hours (Image: Newquay Coastgurd)

The population of Newquay increased greatly this week due to the combination of the ongoing Boardmasters Festival and holidaymakers, with locals also heading to the beach during the school summer holidays.

The volunteer coastguard team were first sent to Porth Beach, along with Newquay RNLI lifeboats, to help Boardmasters lifeguards with four people in difficulty in the water.

All were reported as being safely retrieved.

Not long afterwards, just before 7pm, coastguards, St Agnes Lifeboat, Newquay Lifeboat and Boardmasters lifeguards were called to reports of five people in difficulty in the water at Watergate Beach. Again, all were safely helped out by the lifeguards.

Then, at 7.30pm, coastguards and Newquay Lifeboat were sent to Mawgan Porth, following a 999 call reporting two people in difficulty in the water.

The lifeboat crew were able to talk to the pair, who clarified that they did need any help. The call was described as a “well intended false alarm.”

A spokesperson for Newquay Coastguard Rescue Team said: “Always swim at a lifeguarded beach and follow their instructions.

“RNLI lifeguards Newquay are on duty at Mawgan Porth, Watergate, Porth, Lusty Glaze, Tolcarne, Great Western, Towan, Fistral Beach and Crantock Beach from 10am until 6pm.

“Porth and Watergate beach do have some extended lifeguard cover provided by Boardmasters for the duration of the festival. A combination of spring tides with some swell increases the likelihood of rips and someone getting into difficulty.

“Can we also take the opportunity to remind festival goers not to attempt to walk along the beach between Watergate and Porth as you run the risk of getting cut off by the incoming tide, with unstable cliffs posing an additional hazard.”

If you see someone in difficulty along the coast dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.