Port Talbot RNLI called to reports of two men in the water in the river Afan

When the lifeboat arrived on scene the two men, who had been in the water for approx 20 minutes and had become entangled in some mooring lines, had been pulled from the water by other members of the local boats club who were luckily in the area. The two men, only one of whom was wearing a lifejacket, were trying to get to their boat in a small punt when one of them fell overboard and his friend in attempting to pull him out also fell into the river.

The lifeboat crew on arrival assisted the paramedics in dealing with the two casualties, who were in a state of shock and soaking wet and they were taken to hospital to be checked over. Also involved in the operation were the Port Talbot coastguard and the coastguard helicopter Rescue 187 which was on scene but not required.

All services were then stood down and returned to station.

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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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