RNLI rescue is a real family affair at Cardigan

A team of RNLI volunteers have been praised for helping rescue a 75-year-old man who fell down 30ft cliffs whilst out walking near Poppit Sands.

Cardigan RNLI volunteer helmsman Richard Prowse and crew member Owen Butler have been congratulated on their professionalism, during the call-out which was also attended by sisters Gemma, and Sarah Griffiths.

Gemma, 22, joined the RNLI in 2004 and following in her footsteps three years later was 18-year-old Sarah, who was also an RNLI lifeguard in Pembrokeshire during the summer. The sisters have been praised for their First Aid skills during the incident last Friday (25 September).

Matt Crofts, RNLI Deputy Divisional Inspector of Lifeboats for Wales, has praised the sisters and their volunteer colleagues for putting their First Aid training into action.

Mr Crofts says:

‘The gentleman was very lucky to be found and that RNLI volunteers were on hand to offer their assistance. The RNLI provides the very best training and equipment to enable our volunteers to do their jobs in the safest possible way. This incident really demonstrates how that training has helped to bring around a successful conclusion and the crew are to be praised for their quick-thinking actions.’

Cardigan’s D class RNLI lifeboat launched at 7pm, following a request from Milford Haven Coastguard. Arriving at the scene, the RNLI crew assessed the casualty and suspected spinal injuries. Oxygen was administered and a collar was fitted before the gentleman was placed on a spinal board with assistance from Paramedics and transferred on to the lifeboat.

The volunteer RNLI crew continued to assess his condition with help from an onboard coastguard, as they transported him up river to the pontoon at Patch, where an ambulance was waiting.

A member of the public had raised the alarm after noticing the pension had slipped some 10 foot down the cliffs, from the opposite side of the river. The passer by ran to the local Surf Lifesaving Club and alerted members to the man in difficulty. Two club members swam to the elderly gentleman and rang 999 to request assistance, which is when the lifeboat was launched.

Mr Crofts adds:

‘Gemma and Sarah are well-respected RNLI volunteers at Cardigan, and although they have been on call-outs together in the past, this is probably one of the most serious. It was a real team effort between all of the crew and the other emergency services. We do find that volunteering with the RNLI sometimes runs in families and Cardigan is a classic example of this.’

Volunteering is definitely in the blood of the Griffiths’ family, as dad Cliff is the station’s Lifeboat Operations Manager and brother Alex is also an RNLI volunteer.