Yahoo News Major rescue operation launched to find 'distressed' girl on Anglesey coast
A major search and rescue operation was launched yesterday (Sunday) after a child in distress dialled 999 on the Anglesey coast. She called the emergency services after becoming concerned by rising tides, near Soldier's Point.
Lifeboat crews, the coastguard and police were called to help with the search. Fortunately the girl had not been in the water and a lifeboat operations manager said she "had done exactly the right thing" in calling for help.
A RNLI statement said: "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.
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"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 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.
The statement added: "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 and said: "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."
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