Holyhead and Trearddur Bay RNLI Rescue Injured Climber

The call, which lasted into the early hours of Sunday morning, saw Holyhead’s D-class and all-weather lifeboats called, along with Trearddur Bay’s B-class Atlantic 85 lifeboat.

Pagers sounded just before 7pm, requesting the immediate launch of Holyhead’s inshore lifeboat Mary and Archie Hooper, which launched with minutes and headed straight to the scene, in Gogarth Bay, near North Stack. The climber was only approximately 10 feet above sea level, and was immobile due to his injuries. He had fallen while climbing with a companion, who then raised the alarm after climbing back up the 400ft to the cliff top to find a signal.

Volunteer cliff rescue teams were also called by HM Coastguard, and teams from Holyhead, Cemaes and Moelfre attended, and immediately set about preparing a rope rescue.

On arrival at the location, and assessing the scene and the condition of the casualty, the Holyhead lifeboat volunteers requested support from flanking station Trearddur Bay for additional medical assistance and equipment. Atlantic 85 lifeboat Hereford Endeavour launched at 7.25pm and was on scene shortly afterwards.

Both lifeboats placed volunteer crew members onto the rocks where the casualty was stranded, and casualty care treatment began, with pain relief given to make the man more comfortable. Meanwhile, Holyhead’s remaining crew launched the all-weather lifeboat Christopher Pearce, to support and assist at the scene, arriving at the location just after 8pm.

By this time, the HM Coastguard helicopter had been called, and, on reaching the scene, a winch paramedic was lowered to further assess and treat the casualty. A cliff rescue volunteer then also reached the location, and joined the lifeboat volunteers and the paramedic in treating the injured man. As night fell, the all-weather lifeboat provided illumination with searchlights as those on the cliff face prepared to evacuate the casualty. The man was placed onto a stretcher, carefully lowered onto Holyhead’s inshore lifeboat, and then transferred across to the all-weather lifeboat, when he was winched, along with the paramedic, up to the helicopter to be taken to hospital.

Lifeboat crews then left the scene and headed back to their various berths. All were back by approximately 3am, when all lifeboats were washed down and prepared for any further calls.

Holyhead Lifeboat Operations Manager David Owens praised all those involved, saying:

‘This was a great example of Holyhead and Trearddur Bay lifeboat crews and Anglesey coastguard volunteers working together in very technically difficult circumstances. Everyone involved showed great skill and outstanding teamwork to ensure that the casualty was made as comfortable as possible, and then transferred safely to the helicopter to be taken to hospital.'

He added:

'Both climbers were well-equipped, and knew what to do when the accident happened. We wish the man a full and speedy recovery from his injuries, and also recognition for his friend who had to make a difficult trip to be able to call for help.’

For any further information, please contact Vicki Owens, Holyhead Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07531 681409, or email [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

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