Dog cliff fall leads to Holyhead RNLI call

The owner of the dog had climbed down to rescue and soothe him, and alerted HM Coastguard.

The all-weather lifeboat Ger Tigchelaar was paged just after 7pm on Friday 1 May, and the D-class inshore lifeboat Mary and Archie Hooper was called a few minutes after. Volunteers launched both lifeboats and headed to the scene. Local cliff rescue teams had initially been called, and requested the attendance of the lifeboats to support them in the rescue.

Reaching the scene first, the D-class crew spotted the man and his dog – boxer named Derek - together on the rocky cliffs at Porth y Pistyll, west of Wylfa Head. They were unable to get back as the dog had sustained an injury in the fall.

On reaching the scene, the lifeboat crew managed to get to the water’s edge, and assist the dog and his owner on board the D-class. They were then transferred to Cemaes Bay, where the owner then carried the dog off the boat, and was heading to a vet to have him examined for a suspected broken leg.

The lifeboats then headed back to Holyhead to be washed, refuelled and prepared for any further calls.

Speaking of the rescue, RNLI Holyhead Lifeboat Operations Manager David Owens said:

‘Our crew were very relieved to get to the location and find both the dog and his owner, and quickly get them to safety. We’d like to thank the cliff rescue volunteers from Cemaes and Holyhead, who were able to help us locate the casualties quickly, and be ready to assist if needed.’

He added,

‘Calling for help is always the best thing to do in these situations. Dialing 999 and asking for the Coastguard will mean that ourselves and the cliff rescue teams can get there quickly and help, which means safe and happy owners. We hope Derek the dog recovers well from his ordeal - we have heard since that he was very lucky and didn't break his leg as first suspected, which is great news.'

For any further information, please contact Vicki Owens, Holyhead RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07531 681409, or email [email protected]

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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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