Tributes paid to heroic former Newquay lifeguard

Tributes are being paid to a decorated Newquay lifeguard who has died at the age of 59.

A statement from the town's RNLI lifeguard service reads: "Colleagues in the South West and across the RNLI were very saddened to learn of the death of former RNLI lifeguard Rodney MacDonald, who died suddenly on 1 March aged 59 years."

Rod, who grew up in Sydney, Australia, served as an RNLI lifeguard in the Newquay area from 2001 to 2018. In May 2003, he became the first lifeguard to receive an RNLI Bronze Medal for Gallantry.

The service says the accolade was awarded for a particularly difficult and selfless rescue at Fistral Beach in October 2002. While off duty, Rod battled through large breaking surf to reach a severely injured swimmer who was being thrown against rocks - bringing them safely to shore despite not having any rescue equipment at the time.

Steve Instance, RNLI Water Safety Lead in the South West, was Beach Rescue General Manager at the time. He said:

"Rod was a great character and took everything in his stride. Upon being awarded his medal Rod described the ceremony at the Barbican Centre in London as ‘nice’. Once the presentation was over, he was soon out of his formal clothes and back into his more familiar attire of shorts and T-shirt. He had a great way of making everyone around him feel relaxed in his company.

Rod had many friends around the world and will be greatly missed by all that knew him."