Dramatic footage shows the moment a dog walker was airlifted to safety - after falling into the sea.

The man was walking along Cottys Point in Perranporth, Cornwall, when he was cut off by the tide on at around 4:30pm on Wednesday (March 27).

Video taken by an onlooker shows the daring rescue mission in rough sea as an RNLI lifeboat first pulls him from the sea before he's wynched up to a helicopter to safety.

Tragically, the charity was unable to save his dog, which had been washed away.

Onlooker Steve Finnay, 49, who filmed the rescue, said: "We were in Perranporth for my birthday on Wednesday.

“Around 4:30pm, we went to the cliff top for a better view of the beach.

“We saw a helicopter appearing close to Perran Sands, and quickly realised someone might be in trouble.

“Shortly afterwards, an RNLI lifeboat came across to help them.

“It was all very dramatic - they took him to hospital but couldn’t reach the dog in time.

“They made a very brave attempt, though.

“Another family said they heard screams, but we couldn’t hear anything over the crashing waves and strong winds.”

St Agnes Coastguard Search & Rescue Team says “every effort was made” to retrieve the dog - but were unable to do so.