Angler in the water WHEN, on the evening of Friday November 30, 1984, Mr Michael Morris, honorary secretary of Newquay (Cornwall)lifeboat station, was informed that a sea angler had fallen off the rocks at the western end of Fistral Beach, he assembled the crew before ordering the lifeboat to launch.

Conditions for launching a 17ft 6in C class inflatable lifeboat were marginal; it was dark, there was a strong southeasterly breeze, force 6, a moderate sea and three foot swell outside the harbour.

After consideration he decided, however, that the lifeboat could and should launch and at 1836 the twin-engined inflatable lifeboat left the harbour slipway manned by Helmsman David Snell and Crew Members Wayne Martin, Christopher Pearce and Paul Rockall.

She was driven at full speed on a northerly course to round Old Dane rock, then headed north west to round Towan Head and finally turned south west outside the surfline to a position off East Pentire. The wind was still southeasterly force 6 with a moderate sea and eight foot breaking surf becoming confused towards the rocks off East Pentire.

Helmsman Snell steered the lifeboat through the surf and began to search an area below which the coastguard cliff rescue team were positioned and which was being illuminated by flares.

The helmsman then caught sight of the man in the water some 50 yards from the cliff face and among numerous outcrops of rock. He steered towards him and, just as the lifeboat was turned to face the oncoming surf, her crew pulled the man from the water. Immediately the lifeboat headed out seaward to clear the surf.

The crew began to administer first aid to the man who was suffering from shock and hypothermia. He was made as comfortable as possible while the lifeboat made full speed back to station.

Crew members were concerned for the casualty as he appeared to lose consciousness and his pulse could not be felt. At 1900, back inside the harbour, the man was given oxygen and then taken to hospital by ambulance. The lifeboat was refuelled, rehoused and ready for service again at 1920.For this service a framed letter of appreciation, signed by the Institution's .chairman, the Duke of Atholl, was sent to Helmsman David Snell and Crew Members Wayne Martin, Christopher Pearce and Paul Rockall.Stephen Quayle, 19, the casualty in this service later gave an account of his rescue to the police. This is the incident from the survivor's point of view.

On Friday November 30, 1984, I went out fishing with my father and his friend Dave Roach. We left home at about 4 pm and went to the rocks on the western end of Fistral Beach. We parked the car at the end of Esplanade Road, Newquay, and climbed down to the rocks about 200 yards away.

I was dressed in Wellington boots, two pairs of socks, a pair of leg warmers, pair of jeans, waterproof leggings, T shirt, shirt, sweat shirt, body warmer and an anorak.

It was not raining but overcast. There was a strong southerly, offshore wind blowing.

We set up our tackle and started fishing at about 5 pm. I stood between my father and Dave about 20-30 feet above the water. I had lost a number of hooks and weights. At about 6 pm my line became jammed again by the waterline.

The sea at that time was fairly flat, although there had been big waves coming in. I decided to climb down to try to release the line. As I was leaning over, I happened to look up and saw a big wave coming towards me. It was like a wall of water. I crouched down into a ball, hoping that the sea would go over me.

The next thing I knew I was being thrashed around in the sea near the rocks and decided to swim away from them. I started to shout, then I heard father and Dave shouting back.

I could see their flash-lights as they were climbing down the rocks. I saw Dad cast his rod and felt the line drop over my head. I caught hold of the line and wrapped it around my hand. I was too anxious to get back and pulled and broke the line. I then started to drift, I tried to swim for shore, but the sea pushed me back.

I then saw more lights appear on the cliff and a lot more shouting. I could see I was drifting outwards. I decided to tread water.

My boots filled with water and I kicked them off. My jacket was also very heavy and the hood kept coming over my head, but I couldn't get it off. I could feel an air pocket in my trousers near my thigh. I saw a flare go up from the rocks and I kept seeing these big waves coming in. I would duck under them to pop up behind; behind they dragged me down. I tried several times to shout back ashore.

I don't know how long I was in the water, but I remember I started to panic and shout, as I was very cold and had been in the water a long time.

All of a sudden what seemed like a red log appeared in front of me, and a hand came over and grabbed me. I realised it was the lifeboat. I have never been so pleased to see anyone. I was pulled on board and I remember vomiting. They lay me down in the middle and wedged me in with their legs. I remember hitting my head a number of times going through the rough sea, and I was vomiting.

The next thing I remember was being lifted from the boat onto the beach and given oxygen. Then I was put in an ambulance, and taken to hospital at Truro. I was very cold, in fact numb. They warmed me up in hospitaland Mum and Dad arrived and I was taken home at about 10 pm.

I cannot thank the lifeboat crew enough for rescuing me. I know that the sea was very big but I never gave up hope, and I knew they would try to get me. They did a great job in a difficult sea..