TWO young girls were saved from drowning at Mawgan Porth Beach on Saturday night after their screams were heard.

Members of the public raised the alarm after the aged 12 and 15 became caught in a rip current whilst swimming and were “seconds from disaster” at about 7.15pm.

The emergency call reached Nick Bennett, the owner of the nearby Merrymoor Inn. He alerted Jeremy Griffiths, the chairman of Mawgan Porth Surf Life Saving Club, who was eating dinner in the pub at the time. He immediately ran out, borrowed someone’s board and paddled out through a rough sea, to reach the two young girls “just in time.”

Mr Griffiths managed to keep the young girls afloat in the rip current and heavy sea. Two other members of the surf life saving club, Scott Eggleton and Tom Greaves, also paddled out to assist and help keep everyone afloat until the Newquay Atlantic lifeboat came and took the casualties back to the harbour.

Newquay Coastguard Rescue Team and Newquay Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 924 were also scrambled to the incident.

The 12-year-old, who was from Trevarrian, later posted on social media: “It was me and my friend drowning. Almost passed out but soon those heroes came to save us. Thank the Lord.”

The 15-year-old from St Eval added: “Thank you to everyone who helped me and my friend. We through we wouldn't live until we saw someone. We couldn't swim. It was too strong. Thank you everyone.”

Lyndsey Capey, the mother of one of the girls, said: “A massive thank you to everyone that helped to get my daughter and her friend rescued. I’m really grateful she and her friend are all ok. They are a bit shaken but ok.”

Dan Hatfield, the treasurer of Mawgan Porth Surf Life Saving Club said: “The girls were very lucky. It was a close call. Mr Griffiths reached these two young girls just in time. They were seconds away from disaster.”

A spokesperson for Newquay RNLI said: “Newquay lifeboat volunteers were paged and tasked to assist two swimmers who had found themselves in difficulty in a rip at Mawgan Porth.

“The charity’s Atlantic 85 B Class lifeboat was launched within 14 minutes, with the D Class inshore lifeboat launched shortly afterwards. Both lifeboats proceeded to Mawgan Porth to assist. On arrival, both casualties had been located after being assisted by a member of Mawgan Porth Surf Life Saving Club , who had moved the two out of the surf and further out to sea while awaiting the arrival of the lifeboats. This made it easier for our crew to safely reach and assist them.

“The D Class was stood down and returned to Newquay harbour, while the Atlantic 85 brought both casualties safely onboard before also returning to harbour.

“Both casualties were safely returned to Newquay Harbour, where they were assessed by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

“A huge thank you to Mawgan Porth Surf Life Saving Club , members of the public, Newquay Coastguard Search and Rescue Team, Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 924 and South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.”

A spokesperson for Newquay Coastguard Search and Rescue Team said: “We were tasked after calls came in of two casualties in difficulty at Mawgan Porth. “A member of Mawgan Porth SLSC paddled out to the casualties and was then assisted by off duty RNLI Lifeguards Newquay whilst they waited for assets to arrive on scene.

“With Newquay Coastguard Rescue Team on shore and 924 above, Newquay lifeboat picked up both casualties and took them back to safety at Newquay Harbour to be assessed by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

“Thank you to surf club members, off duty lifeguards, members of the public and all assets for all their assistance.”