A surfer who was rescued after being knocked unconscious in the water has sparked outrage after setting up a fundraiser for a new wetsuit rather than for the emergency services that saved his life.
Sam Brenchley was struck on the head by his surfboard and dragged unconscious from the waves at Fistral Beach in Newquay, Cornwall, on March 31.
After being airlifted to hospital, he launched an appeal for £350 to replace his wetsuit, which had been cut from his body during the rescue. The fundraiser has been met with significant criticism from locals and rescuers alike.
Brenchley was unconscious in the water "for a few minutes" before being spotted by an off-duty lifeguard and other surfers.
Sam Brenchley has updated his gofundme
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The rescuers pulled him from the water and "proceeded to bring me back to life", according to Brenchley's own account. Emergency crews from the Newquay coastguard rescue team and ambulance service attended the scene.
The Cornwall Air Ambulance, a charity which relies on donations to operate, then airlifted Brenchley to Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro for further treatment.
His wetsuit was cut off his body during the rescue for safety reasons. Ryan Nile, who was one of three rescuers who helped save Brenchley, expressed his disappointment at the fundraiser.
"This is very disheartening to see. A donation to the air ambulance is more suitable than a wetsuit!" he wrote.
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Cornwall Air Ambulance attended the scene
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Other locals were equally critical, with one commenting: "Was fully expecting this to be raising money for the air ambulance, not asking for strangers to donate towards buying you a new wetsuit."
Another said: "It really is beggars belief that people are giving money to a self-centred human, me me me. How much did the air ambulance cost? I think you need a reality check."
Some even wondered if the appeal was a late April Fool's joke. Following the criticism, Brenchley issued an update to his appeal, expressing gratitude to his rescuers.
"I want to thank the air ambulance for their incredible service and to the people on the beach that found me and saved my life – to say I'm full of gratitude right now is an understatement," he wrote.
The beach is a popular spot with surfers (file pic)
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He explained that surfing was crucial for his mental health stability. According to The Independent, Brenchley was later gifted a new wetsuit from a local surf shop. He subsequently confirmed that the funds raised would instead be donated to the charity that helped save his life.
Cornwall Air Ambulance responds to over 1,000 rescue missions each year and requires an estimated £8million annually to operate.
A spokesman for Cornwall Air Ambulance confirmed their involvement in the incident.
"Cornwall Air Ambulance was tasked to an incident at Fistral Beach in Newquay on March 31. We conveyed one patient to the Royal Cornwall Hospital for onward care," they said.
