RNLI to review lifeguard cover after Newquay surfer deaths
Rescue services say that a review will look into whether lifeguards should work during the autumn half term after three people died in a surfing tragedy at a coastal beauty spot.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) said that lifeguards man Mawgan Porth Beach in Newquay, Cornwall, from March to September and confirmed there would have been none patrolling there yesterday.
But it explained that there would have been “clear signs” indicating the lack of lifeguard cover for beachgoers.
Four children and three adults got into difficulty off Mawgan Porth Beach, emergency services said.
Two men and a woman were taken unconscious from the sea and tarsnsported to Treliske for treatment in a serious condition but were later pronounced dead in hospital.
Police said the woman and one of the men who died were both in their 40s and from Cornwall.
The second man was in his 50s and was from outside the police force’s area. A spokesman said his family has been contacted. The victims have not yet been formally identified.
‘Clear signs’
A spokeswoman for the RNLI said: “We position lifeguards at certain beaches during the summer months and at other times that we think will be busy during the year.
There would have been clear signs that this was not a lifeguarded beach. RNLI spokeswoman
“A risk assessment is carried out and agreed with the local council and authorities, whoever is responsible for the beach.
“I am sure we will take into account visitor numbers at Mawgan Porth during half term and once we know what happened it will form part of the review into whether we need to extend lifeguard cover there”.
Local councillor John Fitter said that his “personal sympathy” went to the families involved.
Asked whether lifeguard cover should be extended to the autumn half term, Mr Fitter said there could be “no criticism of the RNLI at all”.
He said: “We have never had lifeguards here after the summer season and it is something that in the light of this tragedy we may wish to review. Everything has to be looked at it.
“But anybody going into the water Mawgan Porth Beach yesterday would have been aware that there were no lifeguards there.”
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