Rescuers who risked their lives to save a child drifting out to sea on an inflatable were stunned to be sent a bill for the lilo by the parents.
A helicopter was launched to save the girl when she got into difficulties near Porthleven in Cornwall and a crew member plunged into the water to pull her from the water.
But he left the lilo in the sea as he helped to winch the child to safety and days later the RNLI was handed a £7 bill for the inflatable, according to Cornwall Live.
Mike Carter, president of the RNLI branch, said the £7,000 mission began when the child began drifting dangerously from the shore.
Mr Carter said: "The coastguard scrambled the helicopter which was soon on scene. The diver jumped from the the helicopter and saved the child. He instantly put a knife through the lilo to save any further drifting and they were both winched to safety."
He said: "Two weeks later the commanding officer received a request to pay an invoice for £7 the cost of the lilo.
After receiving the invoice, Mike said the rescuer replied saying they would happily pay - if the family paid for the cost of launching the helicopter. But no response was received.
Mike said the use inflatable toys in the sea pose a constant threat, and only last week the Maritime and Coastguard Agency posted a similar warning.
The agency said: "Inflatable unicorns, watermelons, dinosaurs, you name it, we’ve seen it. Keep your floating friends for the pool. They may pose well for Insta, but they can also pose a danger when up against strong currents and wind, sweeping you out to sea."
