Loyal dog stayed by the side of his injured owner when they were cut off by the tide on Cornish beach walk - before helicopter rescuers winched the man to safety but left the heroic pet behind to die

A devoted dog paid the ultimate price as it clung to its injured owner's side on a beach after becoming trapped by the oncoming tide.

Dramatic pictures show the rescue effort to save the man and his dog after they became stranded on the rocks of Perranporth Beach, Cornwall, on Wednesday afternoon.

The man's cries were heard by holidaymakers who called emergency services at around 4.30pm. No fewer than three local lifeboat crews made the treacherous voyage as 'huge waves' began to swarm the beach.

The crews arrived just as the casualty - who is believed to have fallen from the coastal path above the rocks - was being winched onto the search and rescue helicopter, with his faithful dog left behind.

Eventually, the dog was spotted in dire straits, but sadly crew members were unable to reach it - despite 'every effort' being made to do so.

A spokesman from St Agnes Coastguard said: 'We extend our condolences to the individual who lost their beloved dog in this incident.'

It was while seeing the man being winched on to the helicopter that the three coastguard teams began desperately searching for the lost animal - only for their efforts to be in vain..

Edge Safety Officers were put in place to look for the dog over the cliffs and the rocks below.

Eventually, one crew member spotted the distressed dog - but its position was too dangerous for the lifeboat teams to reach it.

The spokesman added: 'The primary duty of the St Agnes Coastguard is to save lives and conduct rescues.

'It is always challenging when our efforts do not result in the outcome we strive for.

'We are deeply saddened by the outcome of this particular mission.'

Eyewitness Bruce Hargrave said the man walking his dog had fallen from the coastal path above Perranporth Beach.

He said some passing holidaymakers from Perran Sands Holiday Park heard his cries for help and dialled 999.

After the coastguard helicopter and RNLI Inshore lifeboat arrived quickly at the scene the injured man was winched into the helicopter and taken to hospital.

The search for his dog continued.

Mr Hargrave said: 'I had been at the cliffs photographing skylarks for much of the afternoon when I heard the helicopter.

'I initially thought it was an exercise but once I saw a young girl crying and spoke to her mum, I quickly realised it was a real incident.

'The tide was coming in fast and the beach below the cliffs was underwater.

'The man had fallen onto the rocks and hurt his leg.

'His dog had stayed by his side.'

'There was a big sea running with quite big waves coming in and crashing onto the rocks, but fortunately, a family of holidaymakers on the coastal path had heard his cries for help and called the coastguard.

'They were all quite emotional.

'As I left the scene, coastguard personnel on the cliffs were rigging ropes so that they could descend safely to the rocks to continue the search for the man's dog.'

Jen Greenslade wrote on Facebook: 'We were stood on the cliff above observing the rescue. It was so windy and bitterly cold, the waves were ridiculous for the lifeboat crew to try navigate.'

Onlooker Steve Finnay, 49, who filmed the rescue, added: '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.'

• Did YOU see what happened? Email stewart.carr@mailonline.co.uk