By Carol Driver for MailOnline A teenager had to be rescued after a surging riptide dragged her out to sea at a popular tourist beach off the Cornish coast. Nicole Lonsdale, of Uxbridge, London, was on a summer break with her family in Cornwall when she was dragged towards rocks by a strong underwater current at Porth Beach, near Newquay. Her family watched in horror as Nicole, 15, was dragged, screaming for help, towards rocks by the treacherous riptide as she swam yards from the beach. Warning: Holidaymakers have been told to observe red flags at Porth Beach near Newquay, Cornwall
@highlight
Nicole Lonsdale, 15, was swept out to sea while on holiday near Newquay
@highlight
Her father, Paul, tried to swim out to her but had to be rescued as well
@highlight
Lifeboats launched and teenager was taken to hospital by air ambulance
The teenager finally managed to clamber on to a rock ledge, while @placeholder was stranded on rocks 200 yards away on the opposite side of the bay.