Major Emergency Operation Launched Amid Severe Storm on Devon Coast
Emergency services from the Coastguard and the RNLI mounted a dramatic and urgent rescue mission on the Devon coast last night, responding to reports of a potentially life-threatening incident involving a vehicle in the sea. The operation was triggered as gale-force winds, reaching speeds of 60 to 75 miles per hour, battered the region, creating treacherous conditions with waves as high as four metres.
Urgent Call-Out in Torbay
The alarm was raised just before 9:20 PM on Friday evening, with RNLI Torbay and Brixham Coastguard Rescue Team scrambled to Torbay. Solent Coastguard station issued a straight-to-launch request to RNLI Torbay, indicating an immediate and critical emergency where lives were at risk. Initial reports suggested that a car had been dragged into the sea at Corbyn Head in Torquay, with occupants from the vehicle in the water and one possibly not breathing.
Dramatic footage released by the RNLI later showed their All-Weather Lifeboat being violently battered by enormous waves as crews conducted a desperate search for the submerged vehicle. The conditions were described as extremely challenging, with Force 8 south-easterly winds coinciding with a Spring high tide, driving massive swells onshore across Torbay.
Search and Discovery at the Scene
Upon arrival at Corbyn Head, emergency services received updated information that the local Coastguard had located the car. Contrary to initial fears, the vehicle was found stationary and surrounded by water, but not in the sea itself. It was positioned on the inner carriageway of the road by Torre Meadow, vacated of any occupants. This prompted an immediate and intensive search for the driver and any passengers by Coastguard teams.
The RNLI All-Weather Lifeboat initially stood off in the continuing rough seas offshore, remaining on standby as the search progressed. Fortunately, the driver was soon discovered, and it was confirmed that there were no other occupants in the vehicle. As a result, the RNLI was stood down at 10:00 PM, returning to their station by 10:20 PM.
Coastguard Statement and Wider Storm Damage
In a separate statement, Brixham Coastguard Rescue Team reported that they were tasked to Torquay at 9:06 PM following reports of a car and driver believed to be in difficulty. They located a vehicle on a flooded section of road with its lights still on. Coastguard teams deployed to search the surrounding area, and police later located the driver inland, safe and well, requiring no further assistance.
The severe weather conditions also caused significant damage elsewhere along the Devon coast. In Teignmouth, located just 10 miles away from the incident, a section of the pier was torn away by the storm and reportedly carried a mile down to Dawlish, highlighting the destructive power of the gales that swept across the region.
This incident underscores the perils of coastal weather and the rapid response capabilities of emergency services in life-threatening situations. The community remains grateful for the swift actions of the RNLI and Coastguard teams, who braved extreme conditions to ensure public safety.
