Emergency responders from the Coastguard and RNLI swiftly attended a serious incident involving a vehicle in the sea during intense winds along the Devon coast last night.

RNLI Torbay and Brixham Coastguard Rescue were dispatched to Torbay just before 9:20 pm on Friday due to strong gales of 60-75mph causing waves up to four meters high.

RNLI Torbay received an immediate launch request from Solent Coastguard station, indicating a critical life-threatening situation.

Initial reports indicated that a car was swept into the sea at Corbyn Head in Torquay, with occupants potentially in distress, including one individual possibly in need of assistance with breathing.

Dramatic footage released by the RNLI showed their All-Weather Lifeboat battling massive waves as crews searched for the submerged vehicle.

Detailing the mission on Facebook later, RNLI Torbay described the challenging conditions faced by the crew with strong winds and high tides creating hazardous sea conditions.

Following further updates, it was revealed that the vehicle was found stationary on the road near Torre Meadow, prompting a search for the driver and passengers by the Coastguard.

After confirming the safety of the driver and no other occupants in the vehicle, the RNLI team was stood down and returned to the station.

In a separate statement, Brixham Coastguard Rescue Team reported their involvement in locating a vehicle with its lights on in a flooded area, with the driver later found safe by the police.

Additionally, a section of the pier in Teignmouth was destroyed by the storm and carried approximately a mile down to Dawlish.

This incident highlights the dangerous conditions faced by emergency services and the swift response required to ensure public safety in extreme weather events.