This dramatic video shows the moment three young girls were pulled from the sea by RNLI volunteers.
The girls got into trouble after they were caught in an ebbing tide while body boarding, their father then jumped into the sea in an attempt to save them.
As the girls were being swept out, they were spotted by a former lifeboat crew member who quickly called the station.
The volunteers sprang into action, pulling the girls from the sea at Instow beach, Bideford, Devon, before saving the father.
The RNLI crew, from the Appledore station, made a diversion to save the father and pulled him onboard before delivering the family to safety.
An RNLI spokesperson said: "It was by chance whilst the girls were being rescued that the crew spotted the father in the water, also in severe difficulty, having swum out to try and save the girls.
Martin Cox, Appledore RNLI Coxswain, said: "The tides around this part of the coast and within the estuary are particularly strong with a large rise and fall."
"Please take care. If any member of the public sees any person in distress in or around the water, please phone 999 and ask for the Coastguard."
