Eye witnesses have spoken of the dramatic moment a child was rescued from rocks on Tywyn beach.

Town councillor Mark Kendall was walking with family on Sunday, 21 April when he saw the incident unfolding.

“The tide was on the turn and was coming in,” he said.

“Initially there was one fire crew, one ambulance and paramedic crew on site. The incident was at the north end of Tywyn promenade, in the rock armour.

“Allegedly a child went into the rocks and became stuck.

“Two more fire service crews and police as well as the Wales Air ambulance came.

“The tide was up to to rock armour.

“I'm not sure who asked local contractors to get involved but two machines came from local people and after about 30 minutes the child was out and walked away.

“The crowd gave a big cheer and a round of applause. Everyone was relieved to see the child out before the tide covered the area.”

Iain Paterson, who took some photographs of the rescue, said it was lucky it was a low tide and very calm or the child would have drowned.

Tywyn & District Chamber of Tourism & Commerce Chairman Mike Stevens said the rocks always draw people to climb and sit on them.

“This is the first incident of anyone getting stuck in them since they were constructed in 2010 as part of the sea defence. 

“The gaps between the rocks are an integral part of how the defences work as they dissipate the energy out of the waves. Without them the groyne would act as a bridge for the waves to wash over onto the promenade defeating its purpose. 

“While the rescue was taking place one of the lead services explained to me that they were very hopeful of a successful outcome. We were fortunate to have a very calm sea state and normal tide height with no waves which is unusual for Tywyn. 

“On behalf of the Chamber of Tourism & Commerce we are very thankful the child was rescued unharmed.

“It was a text book rescue by the emergency services who all performed exemplary we cannot thank them enough for undertaking such a professional job well done to all concerned.”

A coastguard spokesperson said: “Aberdyfi and Barmouth Coastguard Rescue Teams supported the rescue of a girl stuck in rock armour at Tywyn Beach on 21 April.

“The alarm was raised at about 3.15pm with the tide coming in.

“The child was extracted, safe and well, by about 6.10pm in an operation involving North Wales Fire and Rescue Service (NWFRS), the Welsh Ambulance Service, air ambulance doctors and assistance from a local excavator.

“North Wales Police also supported.”

NWFRS said they were called to Marine Parade at 3.26pm and crews “assisted with release of a child from sea defence rocks as part of multi agency response”.

A police spokesperson said the were called shortly after 3.30pm with other emergency services and the rescue concluded shortly after 6pm “with the child being safe and well”.