Kite surfer injured on Pembrey Beach
Burry Port RNLI lifeboats called to assist a kite surfer with a suspected broken leg
At 7.01pm on Friday 14th July, pages chirped into action, everyone immediately thinking it was the Friday evening 'test page', but it was a request by Milford Haven UK Coastguard to launch both lifeboats, to assist a kite-surfer injured on Cefn Sidan, Pembrey Beach, with a suspected broken leg.
The surfer was at the waters edge, with a fast incoming tide, and was being painfully moved by his colleagues, away from the water.
Both boats were on the water within 6 minutes, and on scene in a further 5 minutes, crewed by Gary Morgan, Osian Bowen, Paul Mitchell, Lee Howells, Nick Jones and Tracy Phipps.
Coastguard Helicopter 187 was tasked and en- route, and Burry Port Coastguard team arrived on scene as the boats arrived.
The casualty was attended by Osian Bowen and Tracy Phipps, Tracy being a qualified paramedic with the Welsh Air Ambulance, and was on her first 'shout' as a recent recruit.
The casualty was made comfortable, and then Rescue 187 arrived on scene, and airlifted the casualty to Morriston Hospital.
All units made their returns to station, a good example of multi-agency teamwork
RNLI media contact
For more information contact Alun Wells, Burry Port Lifeboat Press Officer on 01554 832756. Alternatively contact Eleri Roberts, RNLI Public Relations Manager on 07771941390 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 146,000 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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