Angler rescuers win RNLI medals

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Lifeguards Chris Boundy and John Dugard rescued an angler who fell from rocks in Cornwall. Reconstruction.

Two Cornish lifeguards are to get medals for their "gallantry" in saving an angler who was washed from rocks into the sea.

Chris Boundy and John Dugard, both 21, were on duty in June 2008 when they rescued an angler who fell from rocks at Trebarwith Strand.

They will be presented with silver medals in London on Thursday.

They are the first RNLI lifeguards to receive the award, the charity's second-highest accolade.

On 28 June angler David Nicklin, from York, fell from rocks into a patch of sea known as the "washing machine".

He was face down in the water and being repeatedly dashed against the rocks when Mr Boundy and Mr Dugard were alerted.

I can't thank them enough David Nicklin

They used the surge of the sea and breaks in the waves to reach Mr Nicklin.

They then swam him 200ft (60m) out of the "washing machine", through strong currents and around the rocks to the main beach gully where finally, assisted by a large wave, they got him to the shore and began resuscitation.

Mr Nicklin was airlifted to hospital and three days later was discharged, fit and well.

Michael Vlasto, the RNLI's operations director, said: "I'm super proud of the guys. They have done an incredible job.

"Not only have they rescued him, but they have resuscitated him and he is alive today which is incredible."

Mr Nicklin said: "Without them I would be dead. I can't thank them enough."

Mr Boundy said: "My heart stopped when I saw him in the water and I just jumped in.

"My first thought was to get into the water and although it appeared stupidly dangerous, I'm really proud of myself."