Two surf instructors went to the rescue of a 71 year-old man after he collapsed in the sea off Polzeath.
The man was face down in the water right by local surf instructors, Paddy Driscoll and Luke Purser. As they started to help the man, RNLI lifeguards James Bradley and Elise Webster who were on patrol, raced in to the water fully clothed.
The four managed to get the man out of the sea and then provided him with casualty care until the air ambulance arrived to take him to hospital.
Chris Rowlands, RNLI supervisor at Polzeath, said the speedy response ensured the man survived his medical ordeal;
'The doctors who cared for him say he was only seconds from death when in the water and that thanks to the very quick actions of Paddy, Luke, James and Elise he was saved.
" This gentleman's group were the only family within the red and yellow flags at the time and fortunately they prove the worth of adhering to the RNLI advice to stay within the flags when swimming and paddling at a lifeguarded beach.''
