Pagers sounded just after 4.30pm requesting the immediate launch of the inshore D-class lifeboat
Mary and Archie Hooper. HM Coastguard alerted lifeboat volunteers to a 999 call from a distressed girl, who was worried about increasing tides surrounding her location. It was initially thought the girl was in the water, and three RNLI
crew members attended the lifeboat station almost immediately, and headed straight out into Holyhead harbour.
As the lifeboat crew began searching, they were alerted to a small group of people near Soldier’s Point. As they approached the scene, they found four young people – including the young girl, who was in considerable distress. One of the four - a young adult relative - had raced to help, and was assisting her and her friends when the lifeboat arrived.
The all-weather lifeboat Christopher Pearce, which had also been requested to launch, was then immediately stood down as the casualty had been found safe.
After welfare checks were made at the scene, all four were brought aboard the lifeboat, and were taken immediately back to the slipway at Newry Beach, where members of the casualty’s family were anxiously awaiting her return. She had initially called them when she became worried about her predicament, and had then dialled 999 to ask for help.
Fortunately, she had not been in the water, but had become anxious about her location and the rising tide, and called immediately to alert her parents and the emergency services
.
The local volunteer coastguard and police teams had also been called ready to carry out land searches, and were waiting along with other lifeboat crew members at Holyhead Lifeboat Station for the girl’s return. On arriving back at shore, the casualty was assessed and deemed to be well, although still feeling quite distressed. After being reunited with her family, she was given refreshments and reassurance from the crew, before heading home.
David Owens, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Holyhead RNLI, praised the girl for her presence of mind despite her distress:
‘This young lady did exactly the right thing when she started feeling worried about where she was and the state of the sea. She dialled 999 and asked for help, which we were able to get her very quickly. Just as important, she did not enter the water, which would have made things a lot worse. She stayed where she was and waited for help to arrive.’
‘Our coastal waters are dangerous, and we hope any young person would follow this casualty’s example - always carry a means of calling for help, and dial 999 immediately if they or someone else gets into trouble at sea.’
He added:
‘We all hope the young casualty has recovered from her ordeal, and we also hope her family, who were extremely worried, are feeling better.’
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.