On Friday the 21st of May at 1:03pm both St Davids RNLI all-weather (ALB) and inshore (ILB)lifeboats under the command of deputy 2nd coxswain Ian Gray and helmsman Simon Thornton respectively, launched on service to the aid of a girl with suspected spinal injuries.
The girl who was with fellow 16-18 yr old students from Pembrokeshire College, were on a supervised coasteering exercise with TY Adventure just east of Porthclais Harbour. During the coaststeering the girl entered the water and on climbing onto rocks at the foot of the cliff complained of lower back pain.
The TY Adventure Instructor immediately contacted Milford Coastguards and requested assistance both lifeboats were tasked together with a rescue helicopter 169 from RAF Chivenor. Once on scene a crew member Mike Rogers from the ILB & Simon Twitchen from the ALB entered the water and stabilised the casualty with the assistance of the Instructor. Also in attendance were St Davids & Broad Haven coastguard teams together with Preseli Sector Coastguard Manager.
It was decided at this point that the best way to evacuate the patient was by helicopter. Both lifeboat crew members stayed with the patient and assisted the RAF paramedic in preparation for an airlift.
Once the casualty was onboard the helicopter she was transferred to Morriston Hospital in Swansea. All units were then released with both lifeboats returning to station and rehousing at 2:35pm.
Volunteer Crews ALB: Ian Gray, Ffion Rees, Dave Ward, Simon Twitchen & Peter Roberts. ILB: Simon Thornton, Mike Rogers & John Elsby.
