Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeguards, along with Coastguard, the RAF and local surf lifesaving club members, came to the aid of a 14-year-old girl who had fallen off her horse at the western end of Aberavon Beach on Saturday 5 June.
The girl, who was from Port Talbot and who had been out riding with a group of about 11 other riders, required medical treatment including needing a surgical collar, stretcher and oxygen administered by RNLI lifeguard Rob Steele, before being airlifted by RAF Sea King helicopter (call sign 169) to Morriston Hospital, Swansea.
The call for assistance to the RNLI lifeguards had been given by Aberavon Surf Lifesaving Club volunteer member Anthony Derrick, who had been patrolling the area on an all-terrain vehicle (quad bike).
Coastguard officers were also out on that area of the beach and arrived quickly at the scene to assist.
The young girl was assessed by Rob Steel after she complained of hip pains and memory loss. A collar was placed around her neck and she was placed on a spinal board stretcher.
One of the Coastguard officers present called for the young girl to be airlifted to hospital because it was too dangerous to move her any other way with the possibility that she may have been suffering from a spinal injury.
Rob Steel said: ‘It was really important in providing the speedy assistance to this young girl that all the agencies involved worked well together. It was very important for the reassurance of the young girl and her riding colleagues, at a time of distress for them, that RNLI lifeguards, surf lifesaving club members, Coastguard and RAF co-operated together so speedily and effectively to help her.
‘We also have to be grateful to the other RNLI lifeguards – James O’Leary and James Hoyle – as well as other volunteers from Aberavon Surf Lifesaving Club who were dealing with other first aid incidents and patrolling the beach at the same time.’
