Dramatic moment ice cream van swept out to sea in Cornwall

An ice cream van was washed out to sea by an incoming tide at a popular beach in Cornwall.

Videos taken by onlookers and posted on social media showed the vehicle being tossed around in waves.

Images also showed beachgoers attempting to rescue the Kelly Whip ice cream van from the water.

It is believed no one was hurt in the incident at Harlyn Bay, near Padstow.

Richard Higman, who filmed the incident, said the van had been driving around the beach selling ice cream.

He told Sky News: “The driver had apparently off-loaded the ice cream, when the tide came in over the van and swamped it.

“A load of people on the beach got a rope and tried pulling it and got nowhere.”

He added: “When the tide went out, a farmer went down with his tractor and put a rope on it and towed it up the beach.”

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Padstow Coastguard said crew members and RNLI lifeguards were sent to the scene just before 5pm on Sunday “to ensure the safety of those involved”.

“The driver was safe and well and not in the vehicle,” it said in a statement.

“The owner arranged a recovery vehicle which recovered the van at around 9.45pm when tide receded enough for it to be safe to do so.

“Coastguard rescue officers left once the vehicle was recovered and in a safe location.”