Coastguard rescuers have been hit with online abuse after they were unable to save a dog’s life when they winched its injured owner to safety as the tide rolled in.
On Wednesday a man was saved by rescue teams from St Agnes and Newquay after he became stranded on the rocks of Perranporth Beach, Cornwall, when walking his dog.
After a collective effort from St Agnes and Newquay rescue teams, a coastguard helicopter and St Agnes RNLI lifeboat, the man was lifted to safety.
However, his faithful dog was left behind and despite ‘every effort’ being made to save the pet, the crew were unable to safely reach it.
HM Coastguard responds to over 36,000 incidents a year and has over 400 trained staff, according to the website.
It responds to emergencies 24/7, every day of the year.
Despite the round-the-clock efforts from the rescue crews, St Agnes Coastguard Search & Rescue Team experienced online abuse in response to the incident that happened on Wednesday.
Do YOU know the man and his pet? Email alesia.fiddler@mailonline.co.uk
Rescue teams were called on Wednesday after a man became stranded on the rocks of Perranporth Beach, Cornwall, when walking his dog
The man was winched to safety but sadly his dog had to be left behind after efforts to reach it were not successful
The Facebook page received ‘very offensive comments’ after posting about the rescue mission.
This led to the post being deleted and the page shared an update from the Newquay rescue team instead.
In a comment, the St Agnes Facebook page said: ‘The original post that was published regarding this incident started to gain some very offensive comments directed towards the rescue teams, which is why it was deleted.
‘We share news of the incidents we attend to raise awareness of what our team of volunteers put themselves through and to promote safety whilst visiting the coast.
‘Please be respectful in any future comments.’
At the time of the incident, Edge Safety Officers were put in place to look for the dog over the cliffs and the rocks below.
Eventually, one crew member spotted the distressed dog – but its position was too dangerous for the lifeboat teams to reach it.
A spokesman from St Agnes Coastguard previously said: ‘We extend our condolences to the individual who lost their beloved dog in this incident.’
‘After some time, St Agnes rescue officer Tom spotted the dog, but unfortunately after every effort was made to try and retrieve it, we were unable to
‘The primary duty of the St Agnes Coastguard is to save lives and conduct rescues.
‘It is always challenging when our efforts do not result in the outcome we strive for.
‘We are deeply saddened by the outcome of this particular mission.’
The rescue team’s Facebook page received ‘offensive comments’ after it had posted about the incident
One crew member spotted the distressed dog – but its position was too dangerous for the lifeboat teams to reach it
St Agnes Coastguard released this image of one of their officers scaling the rocks at Perranporth as they tried desperately to save the man’s dog
A spokesperson for HM Coastguard had no further information about the comments but said: ‘HM Coastguard received a 999 call just after 16:30 on Thursday (27 March) stating a man and his dog were cut off by the tide at Cotty’s Point, Perranporth.
‘St Agnes and Newquay coastguard rescue teams, St Agnes RNLI Lifeboat and a coastguard search and rescue helicopter were all sent.
‘The man was winched from the water by the helicopter and flown to the Royal Cornwall Hospital.
‘The coastguard rescue teams and lifeboat crews continued to search for the dog, but sadly the dog did not survive.’
Do YOU know the man and his pet? Email alesia.fiddler@mailonline.co.uk