Two people cut off by incoming tide
Porthcawl’s RNLI lifeboat crews were paged at 6:24pm on Thursday evening by Milford Haven Coastguard following reports of two people cut off at the foot of cliffs near Southerndown.
Coastguards received several 999 calls from members of the public who had seen the two people start climbing a large rock fall at the foot of the cliffs to escape the rising tide. Both Porthcawl’s D Class, Jean Ryall and relief Atlantic 85, Malcolm and Mona Bennett-Williams, lifeboats were launched on service. The casualties who were at Temple Bay Southerndown were rescued by the D-class which veered back on its anchor line onto the pebbly and rocky shore.
Helmsman on the Atlantic 85, Chris Page said, ‘Once on scene we transferred one of our crew to the D Class to assist in helping the casualties aboard and to secure the lifeboat as there was a large swell running in the area at the time. With the casualties safely off the beach and on board they were then transferred to the larger Atlantic 85 lifeboat and brought ashore at Porthcawl lifeboat station as we considered it unsafe to land them at Southerndown due to the conditions on the slipway there. Neither casualty required medical assistance so they were later returned by land to Southerndown by Llantwit Major Coastguard Unit who also assisted in the incident’.
Lifeboat Operations Manager at Porthcawl, Philip Missen said, ‘This evening proved yet again the value of our lifeboat service and the dedication of our volunteer crews. I would like to re-emphasise the importance of checking tide times before venturing along some of our beautiful coast. As can be seen from the photograph of the rescue the cliffs east of our station leave beach users few exits. Be realistic in timing any walk in this area and enjoy our beaches in safely’.
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Notes to editors.
Photo attached. Credit POrthcawl RNLI
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For further information contact Ian Stroud, Porthcawl Lifeboat Press Officer on 07590777875 or Eleri Roberts, RNLI Public Relations Manager on 01745 585162 / 07771 941390.
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