On Sunday evening (March 16), four teenagers became trapped by the incoming spring tide while on Millendreath Beach in Cornwall. The group was cut off from the beach due to the higher tide caused by the full moon on Friday, March 14. The RNLI crew from Looe was launched around 6pm, just as the light began to fade.

As the D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith II made its way along Looe river to Millendreath Beach, the crew quickly spotted the four stranded teenagers on rocks near the shore. Fortunately, none of the teenagers reported serious injuries, but three of them had been in the cold sea water and were feeling its effects.

Rather than returning them to the beach, the RNLI crew took all four teens to the lifeboat station to help them warm up. The Looe and Polruan Coastguard Rescue teams were also present at the station, where the teenagers were safely reunited with their families.

The RNLI noted that this was the first launch for the Looe RNLI crews in 2025 and issued a warning as more beachgoers head out to the water. They emphasized the importance of checking tide times and staying alert to changes in the surroundings. The higher-than-usual spring tide, combined with the fading light around sunset, made it difficult for the group to realize the rising water. The RNLI praised the group for raising the alarm as soon as they realized they were cut off.