Holyhead RNLI Assist in Climber Rescue
Holyhead RNLI volunteer crew were called out yesterday (Sunday October 6th) to assist with the rescue of climbers who had got into difficulty on Holyhead mountain.
Pagers went off just before 1pm, and the crew headed to the all-weather lifeboat
Christopher Pearce, currently berthed within Holyhead port.
The alert had been made after a vigilant member of the public realised two climbers were shouting for help on a cliff face by Elin’s Tower, beside South Stack.
The lifeboat was tasked to investigate, and cliff rescue volunteers from Holyhead, Cemaes Bay, Rhosneigr and Rhoscolyn were also asked to attend.
The lifeboat arrived at the scene at 1.20pm. General conditions were poor, with a large swell along the cliff face, along with multiple patches of heavy debris in the water and gullies.
The lifeboat’s intercom system was used to communicate with all climbers in the general vicinity, asking them to signal if they had any difficulties. One pair of climbers indicated they did have trouble, and on being asked if there were any medical issues, they signalled again that this was indeed the case; was a medical issue on the cliff side.
The lifeboat crew worked with the Holyhead cliff rescue volunteers to pass on the information and exact whereabouts of the casualties, who were approximately 200 feet down the cliff side.
The lifeboat then stood by and monitored the rescue, keeping in close contact with the climbers to keep them informed with regard to what was happening. There was a suggestion of assistance from our flanking station Trearddur Bay’s inshore lifeboat from the coastguard, but they were advised by the lifeboat crew that conditions were unsafe due to the swell and amount of debris at the bottom of the cliff face.
The cliff team deployed a stretcher and one volunteer technician to the injured casualty, and she was evacuated from the cliff face at approximately 3pm. She was then attended to on the cliff top, and the cliff team were then re-deployed for the rescue of her male companion at 4pm. By 5pm, the man was safely recovered to the cliff top by 5pm, where he was assessed and found to be suffering from mild hyperthermia.
The lifeboat was then released and returned back to station where she was prepared for further service.
Holyhead coxswain Tony Price said:
‘This was a brilliant effort from all involved, and a great combined services rescue. 100% effortas ever from the Holyhead cliff team, whose high cliff expertise and experience certainly came into play.’
He added:
‘We all hope and wish that the lady and gentleman recover quickly, and carry on practicing what they enjoy.’
For further information, please contact Vicki Owens, Holyhead Lifeboat press officer, on 07531 681409 or email [email protected]
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