Stranded pair refuse to be saved

The RAF crew waited for two hours to winch the couple to safety

An elderly couple who were stranded near cliffs in west Wales refused to be rescued during a six-hour stand-off in worsening weather.

The mystery couple had been cut off by the tide after a beach walk at St Anne's Head in Pembrokeshire.

Despite a lifeboat and RAF helicopter crew arriving, the pair refused their rescue offers and even hurled abuse.

The coastguard said the whole "rescue operation" is thought to have cost thousands of pounds.

The drama began on Thursday when a passer-by spotted the two - who appeared to be pensioners - sheltering in a cliffside cove at the popular beach and phoned for help.

But when a lifeboat arrived in stormy weather, the couple told the crew in no uncertain terms that they wanted to "sit it out".

It's a bit strange to telll a helicopter to go away Coastguard watch manager Julie Wood

A helicopter from RAF Chivenor in Devon was then sent to pick up the pair.

But when a winch was sent down to the beach, the man hurled abuse at the would-be rescuers and told them they wanted to be left alone.

The RAF crew waited for two hours, hoping the couple would change their minds, but finally abandoned the call.

Meanwhile, police and the Dale coastguard cliff rescue team were forced to sit and wait by the couple in difficulty for the tide to go out.

Even so the elderly pair refused their offers of coffee and warm clothes, turning their backs and refusing even to talk.

Finally, at 2020 BST - six hours after the "rescue" effort had been launched - the tide retreated and the pair walked to safety.

Cold and wet

Watch manager at Milford Haven coastguard Julie Wood said it was the first time she could remember anyone refusing help from a helicopter rescue team.

"They were probably a bit embarrassed. But it was cold and wet and they were in some danger, so I'm surprised they didn't accept any help.

"People are usually quite pleased to see you, but for someone to say they don't want any assistance is very, very unususal.

"It's a bit strange to tell a helicopter to go away."

The pair who were cold and wet after their ordeal did not require hospital treatment.

The coastguard said they could not be arrested for wasting police time because they had not asked for help.

At least four lifeboat volunteers had left their day jobs to help save the couple.