From presents under the tree to time spent with loved ones and adventuring, Christmas means so much to so many. But for some it’s a memorable lesson too.
For Helena, meeting the family was the next big step. Originally from Brazil, she’d made London her home and for the past year she’d been dating James from Devon. “It was Christmas 2023 and he was keen to show me the beautiful places where he grew up,” says Helena, 41.
“We left London for a few days to spend some time in a holiday home and meet James’ parents. The weather was typically British – cold and grey, but it wasn’t stopping us adventuring.”
They explored a castle in neighbouring Somerset before deciding to go and see the outstanding natural beauty of Lee Bay in North Devon. It was a rocky walk but equipped with walking boots, the pair ventured on to a more secluded area where they set up for lunch.
“James said he really wanted me to see this beach he loved. We hadn’t intended to spend a lot of time there really; we just sat down and had lunch. It was around 2pm when I spotted the tide coming in. It was so fast that one minute our feet were wet and next the beach had disappeared completely.”
The pair panicked and decided to try and leave but they couldn’t. Buffeted by a craggy unforgiving cliff face and a beach consumed by a rising and very cold tide, it was Helena who broke first.
“Let’s call the Police,” she said, but just as the call connected, the pair had a wobble. After all, it wasn’t a real ‘emergency’. Perhaps they could just wait it out. Surely the tide would move back soon. They hung up.
The couple moved further up the beach below the imposing cliffs, but as the light began to fade and the cold set in, they received a call. It was the Police. “The Police had sent over our details and location, and the Coastguard were coordinating a rescue. They checked if we were OK and stayed in constant contact.”
Receiving the call at Milford Haven MRCC in South Wales, Search Mission Coordinator Max Hawkins deployed Coastguard Rescue Teams from Mullacott and Lynmouth, as well as RNLI Ilfracombe lifeboat.
“It was crucial that we reach the casualties as quickly as possible,” says Max. “Late December, the weather changes quickly and the sea is very cold. There’s every chance this could rapidly turn into a life-changing trip to the coast.”
Just as the couple contemplated climbing cliffs in the darkness, Ilfracombe lifeboat arrived on scene, illuminating the pair with their powerful searchlight. Rescue still seemed hopeless however, as they were separated from the lifeboat by cold, powerful tides.
But Max’s team at Milford Haven knew different, as they'd been busy directing in a team of Coastguard Rope Technicians on shore. Maritime Operations Officers Matthew Ford and Gregg Hayes sent the couple further along the coastline where Lynmouth Station Officer Ashley Clarke and his team were located, having rappelled down the cliff.
“I went up first, followed by James. It was shocking to see the extent of the rescue operation from the top of the cliff, where various Coastguards, equipment and vehicles had set up. It was so impressive.
"The Officer in Charge was very experienced and so calm. The team seemed powerful and strong and were in really good spirits despite our mistake, even if one of the team had left his dinner on the table to rescue us!”
The rescue was certainly a bonding experience for the couple, but despite their ordeal they're still keen to visit the coast and enjoy it. “We can almost laugh about it now but at the time, it was scary,” says Helena.
“We’d been spontaneous, but that had been our mistake. I’d say do your research, check the tide times, and think about how you get into and out of areas of coastline. It’s not always as easy to leave as it is to arrive, as we found out.”
