Clive Chapman: Rucksack used as rescue seat

Adrian and Becky Shute became trapped after becoming caught in flood water at Tremaine, about seven miles from the Cornish seaside community.

They were treated for shock and mild hypothermia at the medical centre at RAF St Mawgan.

Dozens of people who were stranded on roof tops had to be airlifted.

Cars are piled up by the floodwater

In all, seven helicopters were involved in the massive rescue operation, including crews from RAF St Mawgan and RNAS Culdrose.

Six casualties were taken to North Devon Hospital in Barnstaple and Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, mostly suffering from the effects of the cold.

Master Aircrewman Clive Chapman of RAF St Mawgan-based 203 Squadron said: "We don't have any specific equipment to rescue babies so we made use the co-pilot's rucksack.

"We put the child inside the rucksack and connected the rucksack handles through the winch hook with me holding onto the baby as well all the way to the door.

"When we got to the aircraft I passed the baby indoors and we carried on the rescue."

This was the biggest combined incident the RAF and Royal Navy had dealt with for many years.

Chief Air Crewman Malcolm Keen, a winch man with 771 Squadron, based at RNAS Culdrose in Helston, said no-one could believe the scale of the devastation.

"It is probably one of the biggest operations we have done for a long while after the 1979 Fastnet race.

"There were three aircraft involved from 771 and I think everyone did a superb job."