Back from the brink: Joanna's story

With conditions being too dangerous for the D class crew to pick them up, Matty began dragging Joanna through the neck-deep water back to shore – and the battle to bring her back from the brink began.

Pulling together 

‘It was a fairly long drag back in,’ continues Matty. ‘When we were waist-deep, a member of the public came in and helped me carry Joanna out, which I was really grateful for. 

‘Then an on-call nurse on the beach helped me with giving Joanna CPR. I was shattered from bringing her in, so this was a massive help. 

‘When the paramedics arrived and took over from us, I thought: “Thank God.” I was so tired, and really cold too. I nipped to the base to get a coat and then went straight back to help care for Joanna.’

A combined effort 

The rescue effort on the beach continued to grow as more members of the lifeguard team arrived, along with other emergency services including Coastguard rescue teams, a Cymru High Acuity Response Unit, the Wales Air Ambulance and a rescue helicopter from the Irish Coast Guard.

Among the lifeguards were Noah Harvatt and Anya Walton, who were managing communications at the lifeguard base. Jago Sime and Calum Walton were offering support on the beach, along with St Davids Lifeboat Operations Manager John Williams.

Calum had brought the RNLI first responder bag in case it was needed, and he was holding the fluid and oxygen for Joanna. Joanna was now receiving CPR from a machine, so the teams could focus on coming up with an evacuation plan. 

Matty held Joanna’s hand and helped prepare her for the transfer into the air ambulance. ‘I told myself: “We’ve done all we can.” But it didn’t look good.’

‘That’s when it hit me’ 

It wasn’t until Matty spoke to his partner, Tirion, on the phone a while later that he realised the magnitude of the rescue mission and his crucial part in it. 

‘I’d texted Tirion to explain what had happened and she rang me to tell me I’d done an amazing job. That’s when it hit me – I don’t often cry. My 10 years of lifeguarding have helped me to process incidents like this. But this particular one played on my mind. I kept asking myself if there was anything else I could’ve done. 

‘Thankfully, the RNLI look after us by providing trauma support. I’ve got Tirion and a really good group of friends around me too, and our lifeguard team is like a little family – we all look out for one another.’ 

The miracle

Joanna was cared for by the medical team at Carmarthen and Glangwili Hospital. After spending 10 days in an induced coma, she regained consciousness. Over the coming months at a rehabilitation centre, she went on to make a full recovery. 

Matty was overjoyed that Joanna survived: ‘Hearing that she would recover was incredible. So many things worked out in a way that allowed us to have a positive outcome, and that’s down to everyone working together and doing what they’re trained to do. 

‘I feel like I just did my part of the chain. RNLI lifeguards are trained to rescue. That’s why we’re there.’

‘Then I woke up’

Joanna Hicks shares her side of the story:

‘My friend Philippa suddenly realised that I was no longer beside her. Then I couldn’t get back to the beach. I can’t remember much after that. The last thing I remember is just water. ‘The hospital told me it was a miracle that I survived – that I should have died. They told my friends and family to prepare for the worst. But then I woke up. And I finally got home months later after a lot of rehab and treatment. ‘If it was not for the quick reactions and incredible skill and professionalism of the RNLI lifeguards and lifeboat crews, I would not be here today. As well as making a donation, I have also become an RNLI member to give ongoing support to this wonderful lifesaving organisation, and I am making sure my Will includes a gift to the RNLI when my time does actually finally come.’

The big picture 

So many people helped Joanna, on the day and afterwards. They included Lifeguard Anya Walton, who was on comms back at the lifeguard base. She also helped others get through the ordeal. Anya recalls: ‘I looked after Joanna’s friends Philippa and Bob and the French couple. They were understandably shaken. I reassured Philippa that she did the right thing in not going back in to try and help Joanna, as this could’ve meant there were two casualties. 

‘The next day, I met up with Philippa and Bob. I explained what a rip current is and how frequently we rescue people from them at Newgale Beach. They felt reassured that it wasn’t a freak accident.

‘To know that Joanna has made a full recovery and can live her life makes me incredibly proud of our whole team. I still find it hard to believe. I’m glad I was there on the day to give support.’ 

Philippa and Bob expressed their thanks to all involved: ‘We are just so grateful. The emergency services were absolutely fantastic; from Matty and the lifeguards to the ambulance crews, the Coastguard teams and the lifeboat crews. And the care Joanna received in the intensive care unit was just remarkable.’

Your lifesavers, your kit

Thank you for providing for our lifesavers. Your generosity means they have the right kit and skills in an emergency. As we all know, prices have risen, and durable lifesaving kit doesn’t come cheap.

These are recommended retail prices for kit. We always try to get the best price for all kit and equipment. Where possible, we negotiate a lower cost.

If you get caught in a rip current:

• Don’t try to swim against it – you’ll get exhausted.
• If you can stand, wade don’t swim.
• If you can, swim parallel to the shore until free of the rip and then head for shore. 
• Always raise your hand and shout for help. 
• If you can’t get back to shore, Float to Live until help arrives. 
• If you see someone else in trouble in the water, call 999/112 and ask for the coastguard.