A POLICE officer who went to the rescue of a couple who had become trapped by an incoming tide, then needed to be rescued himself.

According to Cowes RNLI a couple in their thirties became trapped by an incoming tide.

The couple had used their mobile to summon help from Solent Coastguards when mid-way between Thorness and Gurnard Marsh.

As the tide came in the couple, who wore shorts, attempted to reach the cliff-top path but eventually returned to the beach suffering cuts from brambles.

When the lifeboat was steered between the rocks to reach the shore the crew found that they not only needed to rescue the couple, but a police officer who had gone to their aid.

The couple’s injuries were superficial after an examination and so they and the police officer were taken by the lifeboat to Thorness where they were able to wade ashore to safety and to be met by Newport coastguards.

Also hovering over the scene during the rescue was the Solent Coastguards helicopter, on a training exercise, but their help was not required.

The lifeboat, which launched at 3.15 pm, returned to station at 4.25 pm yesterday.