Two people rescued from fishing boat off Cornwall

Two people have been rescued from a fishing boat which sank off the coast of Cornwall.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said emergency services were called to the scene at The Rumps, near Polzeath at about 15:20 GMT on Sunday.

The MCA said the Polzeath Coastguard Rescue Team and a lifeboat from Padstow responded to reports of a ship striking rocks and sinking.

The two were rescued from on board the vessel and taken to a place of safety, it added.

Tom Bolt, from Falmouth Coastguard, said its counter pollution team was now dealing with the situation.

He said: "We've also got the Receiver of Wreck (Row), they're dealing with the property of the vessel.

"I know it may sound really interesting to members of the public but we are advising people just to stay away and keep clear for the minute.

"There is a lot of debris going around the area as well, so take caution if you are in the area."

Mr Bolt said the rescue was one of 10 taskings undertaken by the Coastguard Rescue Team on Sunday and credited those involved for doing "a fantastic job".

Padstow RNLI coxswain Richard Pitman added: "We arrived on scene and were shocked to see the condition of the fishing vessel, but relieved to see the crew had managed to get themselves ashore on to the rocks and were uninjured.

"It was a team effort and great to have Polzeath Coastguard crew on scene supporting."

The RNLI said the rescued crew was returned safely to Padstow Harbour where members "were met by their waiting family".

The MCA said no reports of significant pollution had been received in relation to the boat and its salvage team was monitoring the incident.

"Some debris has been recovered by a local vessel," it added.

"Salvage of the vessel is the responsibility of the owner."

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