In a dramatic race against the incoming tide both Porthcawl Lifeboats were launched to rescue a 14 year old holiday maker stranded waist deep on a rock just off Newton Point.
Following a 999 call to Milford Haven Coastguard, Porthcawl RNLI volunteer crew were paged at 5.30pm Saturday afternoon. Both boats were used in this rescue as Newton Point has notorious rocks and currents. Within minutes the youth was spotted surround by deep water and clinging to the rock. Chris Missen, Helmsman on Porthcawl’s D class lifeboat Jean Ryall, took the boat through the outlying rocks and up to the rock where the stranded youth was seen to be visibly frightened and very cold. He was quickly evacuated and transferred to the larger Atlantic 85 Rose of the Shires. Once on board the crew wrapped him in protective coverers and raced back to the lifeboat station. Suffering from severe cold and shock the youth was treated by shore crew and paramedics before being transferred to Princes of Wales hospital. The casualty who was from the Chesterfield area had only been in Porthcawl for two days.
Today’s rescue of the young holiday maker was textbook and I have no doubt that our crews prompt action saved a life’
Philip Missen, Lifeboat Operations Manager
Porthcawl RNLI save 14-year-old holidaymaker
Author: Ian Stroud, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer
Date: 16/08/2015
In a dramatic race against the incoming tide both Porthcawl Lifeboats were launched to rescue a 14 year old holiday maker stranded waist deep on a rock just off Newton Point.
Following a 999 call to Milford Haven Coastguard, Porthcawl RNLI volunteer crew were paged at 5.30pm Saturday afternoon. Both boats were used in this rescue as Newton Point has notorious rocks and currents. Within minutes the youth was spotted surround by deep water and clinging to the rock. Chris Missen, Helmsman on Porthcawl’s D class lifeboat Jean Ryall, took the boat through the outlying rocks and up to the rock where the stranded youth was seen to be visibly frightened and very cold. He was quickly evacuated and transferred to the larger Atlantic 85 Rose of the Shires. Once on board the crew wrapped him in protective coverers and raced back to the lifeboat station. Suffering from severe cold and shock the youth was treated by shore crew and paramedics before being transferred to Princes of Wales hospital. The casualty who was from the Chesterfield area had only been in Porthcawl for two days.
Meanwhile the D class remained on scene as there were reports that a second person had been climbing the rocks and was possibly in the water. One crew member swam ashore to make further enquiries and fortunately Porthcawl Coastguard Unit, who were also tasked to this incident, had located the second person safe and well. The friends were then reunited when the Coastguard Unit transported the casualty’s friend to the Lifeboat Station.
Lifeboat Operations Manager, Philip Missen said, ‘As many people know we are celebrating our 50th anniversary this year and today as part of the celebrations it was our crew family event where a BBQ and other entertainment was organised. As always our crews are ready to respond to incidents at all times and today was no exception, it did give the families a great insight to the speed and efficiency at which our boats can be launched. Today’s rescue of the young holiday maker was text book and I have no doubt that our crews prompt action saved a life’.
The RNLI are currently running the ‘Respect the Water’ campaign to encourage the public to think of the dangers of the sea and inland waters. Here in Porthcawl and along the Bristol Channel we do have the second highest rise and fall of tide in the world and the public are advised to note tide times to avoid the dangers of being cut off by an incoming tide.
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