Port Talbot RNLI volunteer saves lives whilst on holiday
On April 9 2024 volunteer crew member Damian Hill went on holiday with his family to Crete to get some rest after fundraising and training in preparation for the TCS London Marathon.
Damian joined the Port Talbot RNLI lifeboat station three years ago after finding out that one of his relatives, William John Gammon, an RNLI gold medal winner, was one of the crew who tragically lost his life while attempting to rescue the crew onboard the SS Liberty Santampa which had got into difficulty in perilous waters at Sker Point.
During his three year service at Port Talbot RNLI, Damian has undertaken a rigorous selection of Water Safety, Casualty Care and First aid training which helped him save lives while on holiday.
On Tuesday 14 May Damian was presented with a letter of commendation from Area Lifesaving Manager Matt Childs, which outlined the exceptional courage displayed by Damian in two life-threatening situations.
A metal bridge over the pool collapsed and Damian and his fiancée Gemma Weston entered the water to free a woman and her daughter who were entangled in the metal bridge. Their quick thinking helped to limit the injuries to the casualties and they got them out of the pool to a safe and secure environment within minutes.
Later that day Damian once again displayed bravery when a baby was found face down in the water after falling out of an inflatable. Damian’s training, skills and knowledge sprung into action and the baby was retrieved from the water and was revived.
Port Talbot Lifeboat Operations Manager Clive Morris said: ‘Our crew undertake training for all eventualities, and being away on holiday did not prevent Damian from leaping into rescue mode. Even on holiday our crews can be relied upon to help those in need and to save lives. I am extremely proud of Damian and his actions. Without his intervention the outcomes of both of these events may have been very different.'
The RNLI is a registered charity that saves lives at sea. It provides, on call, a 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service to 100 miles out from the coast of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland and a beach lifeguard service on over 200 beaches in England. If you would like more information on fundraising ideas to help raise much needed funds for the RNLI please visit our website for more details or pop into your local station to discuss any fundraising ideas that you may have.
Media contacts
For more information please contact Kirstee David, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected] or or Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on 07977728315 or [email protected]. Alternatively, call the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.