Stranded swimmer crawled onto rock then plucked to safety in dramatic Anglesey rescue

HM Coastguard in action off the Anglesey coast
-Credit: (Image: PA)


A stranded swimmer who had crawled onto a rock had to be rescued by a coastguard team. Strong waves were threatening to knock her into the sea.

But coastguard volunteers rushed to help and she was pulled through the water back to safety. Her companion managed to get ashore without help.

HM Coastguard sent Rhosneigr and Holyhead Coastguard Rescue Teams to Porth Nobla beach, Rhosneigr yesterday at 5.43pm. A Rhosneigr Coastguard Rescue Team spokesman said on its Facebook page: "A female had got into difficulties whilst swimming and had managed to climb up onto a small rock and was now stuck and cut off. Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter

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"Upon teams arrival we quickly located our casualty who was being hit by strong waves that were breaking over the small rock and almost washing our casualty off. Due to the situation and with the potential of our casualty being washed off the rock, team members hastly tethered up and carried out an Immediate snatch rescue of the casualty and brought her back through the water to safety and into the care of other team members."

The spokesman said: "Her concerned companion had also been swimming but had managed to self rescue."

The volunteers treated both casualties for minor cuts and grazes from the jagged rocks. "They warmed up with blankets and balaclavas and were taken to sit in the warmth of one of the Coastguard Vehicles with heaters on whilst observations and monitoring of them both were carried out," added the spokesman.

Both were happy and ready to be released. They were advised what to do in future and made their way home. The teams returned to their stations to get ready for any more shouts.

The coastguards urged anyone who is in difficulty or who sees anyone in such circumstances around the coast or at sea to seek help from the coastguards.

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