A WALKER trapped by the tide on a West Somerset beach was saved by Minehead volunteer lifeboat crews in what was described as ‘a tricky rescue’ operation.

The woman, whose name was given as Pam, was cut off by the incoming tide as she went to see the St Audries Bay waterfall on the evening of May 15.

She was in a perilous position with a fast-dwindling beach in the face of a 33 feet tide and large swell.

Minehead’s D-Class inshore lifeboat was tasked by HM Coastguard to go to Pam’s aid, but shortly after launch helmsman Craig Coleman requested assistance from the station’s larger Atlantic 85 due to challenging sea conditions in the bay.

Navigator Rob Hickley swam ashore to check on the welfare of Pam, a trainee clinical psychologist who was visiting the area.

The lifeboat crews monitored sea conditions for 30 minutes until they improved enough to extract Pam from the rocky shoreline.

Pam said: “I had seen the waterfall on the internet and really wanted to visit it.

“As I walked from the car park everything seemed fine, and I was chatting with my sister on the telephone.

“Unfortunately, as I came to return I saw the path was flooding fast.

“My sister knew to call the Coastguard on 999.

“I explained where I was, and they sent help.

“First, a team arrived on the cliff, and a little later the lifeboats arrived.”

Pam was taken onto the D-class lifeboat and then transferred to the Atlantic 85 for the short trip to Watchet Marina, where she was found to be safe and well, and taken to her car by Coastguard officers.

Lifeboat spokesman Sam Donati said: “We have the second highest tidal range in the world here and it is super important to check tides and conditions before you set out on coastal activities.”