Mumbles lifeboat crew locate cliff walker using app

The volunteer crew of the Mumbles lifeboat were called to the aid of a cliff walker who was cut off by the tide on Saturday afternoon.

At 1.15pm Milford Haven coastguard were called to find a walker who had become cut off by the tide. She wasn’t from the area so couldn’t accurately describe where she was. Her mobile signal was intermittent but she eventually managed to send a message to a family member in London along with a picture of where she was. The message eventually got through and the family were able to contact the Coastguard. The casualty was located by the Lifeboat and a crew member joined her on the cliff area.

Unable to recover her by boat she was airlifted by Coastguard Helicopter and taken to a nearby beach.

The inshore lifeboat ‘The Mark Lott’ and her crew returned to station by 3pm

Helm James Bolter said, ‘The casualty was from London and had been walking the beach at Low tide completely unaware of the speed of the incoming tide and her position on the Gower peninsula. The rocks were very sharp and while she incurred only cuts and scratches. Thankfully she called for help rather than trying to swim for it. Something for all of us to be aware of is that technology can be very useful, the casualty had planned her route onto the beach and off it but the Bristol Channel has a massive rise and fall of tide which can come in much quicker than expected’.

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