Thrown horse rider rescued by Porthcawl RNLI

The D-class lifeboat Jean Ryall was launched and soon arrived on scene.

Due to the remoteness of the incident, two miles north west of the lifeboat station, the UK Coastguard coordinated a multi-agency rescue plan that included Porthcawl Coastguard Rescue Team conveying a paramedic from a NHS land ambulance across Kenfig Nature Reserve to Sker Beach, a Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter being scrambled and the RNLI lifeboat making an approach by sea.

Lifeboat crewman Chris Page said: 'The tide was right out so our Helm landed us as close to the reported incident area as he could, however we then found that we had to make best speed by foot carrying our first aid kit over half a mile across the beach.

'We were first on scene and carried out first aid, at the same time a colleague cleared a landing site for the helicopter. The casualty, who had been thrown from her horse, had sustained some head injuries and had been temporarily unconscious. She was very cold from being lain on the cold wet sand.

'Once the helicopter had landed on the beach air crew and the NHS paramedic carried out further medical treatment before the casualty was flown direct to the University Hospital Wales, Heath, Cardiff.'

Porthcawl RNLI Deputy Launch Authority, Aileen Jones MBE, said, ‘People don’t normally associate our lifeboats being launched to land based casualties, but as shown today this was the quickest way to reach the casualty and get first aid started.

'Today’s rescue was a multi-agency effort where all teams worked together under the UK Coastguard Agency, hopefully the casualty will make a full recovery.'

Notes to editors:

The attached picture shows the casualty being streched to the Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter following initial first aid by Porthcawl RNLI lifeboat volunteers on Sker Beach. Credit Marcus Woodbridge

For more information please contact Ian Stroud, Porthcawl RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07590 777875 or Chris Cousens, RNLI Press Officer, Wales and West, on 07748 265496 or 01745 585162 or by email on [email protected].

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