Heart-stopping moment little girl playing on Cornwall beach is swept away after being caught out by the tide

A little girl playing on a beach was swept away in this terrifying footage after being caught out by the tide.



The footage begins with the child watching the waves at Perranporth Beach, Cornwall, when - in a split second - she's knocked to the ground by the incoming tide.



The powerful sea can be seen swirling around her as several people rush in to help and pull from the cold water.



She was dragged out of the waves and led to safety by family.



But the video serves as a timely reminder to everyone to be aware of the tides.



Minutes later, four adults were apparently swept off the steps at Flatrocks and carried 30metres up the beach by the incoming tide, according to a local lifeguard.