American family of six rescued after being trapped by high tide in Britain

LONDON, April 1 — A family of six from the U.S. holidaying in Britain had to be rescued by a lifeboat crew after being cut off by a fast-flowing tide, rescuers said Saturday.
Rescue crew scanned the river coastline to locate the family and were able to pinpoint where they were trapped and awaiting rescue.
The parents and their four young daughters became stranded on the bank of the River Gannel in Newquay in Cornwall on Friday evening.
The alarm was raised and a rescue from the RNLI in Newquay was scrambled to rescue the family. The crew of the lifeboat carried the young girls to safety.
An RNLI spokesman said the family were unhurt, but had been shocked at how rapidly the river levels had risen.
“The group was aware of the tide times but hadn’t appreciated how soon they would be at risk of being cut-off,” he said.
Seasonal spring tides meant the water levels completely covered the banks of the river, trapping the family of six.
Cornwall’s tourism guide says the river can be explored at low tides on foot, cycle or horseback, with boats or canoes needed at high tides periods.
The river is famed for legend of the “Gannel Crake”, which has been described as sounding like a crying voice.
RNLI Newquay issued details Saturday of the Friday evening rescue mission.

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