Whipped out to sea! Shocking moment ice cream van is seen being buffeted by the waves after it was abandoned in Cornwall

An ice cream van was dramatically swept out to sea at a Cornish beauty spot on Sunday afternoon.

Footage shows the stranded ‘Kelly Whip’ van being battered by waves after it was dragged out into the water at Harlyn Bay Beach, north of Newquay in Cornwall.

A brave group of individuals rushed into the water in a desperate bid to save the van before it fell victim to the high tide.

They were later seen attempting to tow the van out of the water – as dozens of other stunned beachgoers watched on in the background.

But the incoming tide proved too strong and the ice cream van was ultimately abandoned, resulting in it being smashed into a cliff face by waves.

Beachgoers attempted to rescue the Kelly Whip ice cream van from the water 

They tried to tow the vehicle out of the water but eventually the van had to be abandoned

The Kelly Whip van was seen floating in the water as waves dramatically crashed into it

It’s understood that the ice cream van driver eventually had to abandon his vehicle

Beachgoers watched on as the high tide swept the ice cream van away 

Dozens of rescuers attempted to save the ice cream van, which was flooded inside

Members of the public watch on as the ice cream van is buffeted by the waves

Harlyn Bay Beach is considered one of the best family beaches in Cornwall thanks to its golden sand and close proximity to Padstow

Footage shows beachgoers attempting to tow the van (left) and coastguard rescuers (right)

Other footage shows the ice cream van being tossed around the bay, with huge waves flooding the inside. 

Photos show surfers going about business as usual, taking advantage of the big waves that were crashing into the stranded van. 

DevonLive reports that the driver eventually left after watching the van get swept out to sea.

Harlyn Bay Beach is considered one of the best family beaches in Cornwall thanks to its golden sand and close proximity to Padstow.

The beach was packed on Sunday despite most of the UK suffering a weekend washout.

Britons were caught in huge downpours across Saturday and Sunday, with localised flooding in some areas.

Tennis, F1 and rowing fans descending on Wimbledon, Silverstone and Henley, were also caught up in the thunder and rain this weekend.