Lifeguard's treacherous rock swim

The three were winched to safety by helicopter

A young beach lifeguard has been praised for swimming through treacherous rocks and high seas to save teenagers trapped on rocks in Cornwall.

The 13 and 15-year-old brothers, on holiday from Essex, were stranded on rocks at Crooklets beach, Bude, by the incoming tide on Sunday.

RNLI lifeguard Ross Hamley, 20, swam through the notorious Wrangles rocks to reach the brothers.

All three were winched to safety by a helicopter from RNAS Culdrose.

"The area they were in is covered in really jagged, sharp rocks, which were part submerged by the incoming tide and there was definitely no way back for them," Mr Hamley said.

It was a pretty dramatic hour or so Ross Hamley, RNLI beach lifeguard

"I would not normally consider going anywhere near the Wrangles, but instinct just kicked in - there were two young boys on the rocks who needed help and I knew my wetsuit would at least be some protection.

Strong winds, a 4ft (1.2m) swell and the rocks meant conditions were too dangerous for the Bude lifeboat to pick the teenagers and lifeguard up, so Chris Pearce, the RNLI's senior lifeguard called Falmouth Coastguard to request a rescue helicopter.

Mr Hamley said his priority was to protect the boys who were wet, cold, frightened and had suffered cuts and bruising on the rocks.

Ross Hamley swam 100m through jagged rocks

"We huddled together with my back to the wind and I kept them moving up the rock away from the incoming tide," he said.

"It was a pretty dramatic hour or so."

Steve Instance, the RNLI's divisional inspector, said the multi-agency rescue highlighted the importance of joint training exercises and praised Mr Hamley's bravery.

"Ross showed great courage in swimming through the Wrangles," he said.

"I'm glad he was able to reach the boys and they were returned safe and well."