Swansea Coastguard received an urgent 999 call at just after 3:30 p.m. on 10 December 2000, from a member of the public reporting that two surfers were in difficulty on the rocks at Worms Head, Gower.

Rhossili Coastguard headed straight to the scene and the RAF Rescue Helicopter based at Chivenor was immediately tasked to assist in the search. Rhossili Coastguard located one casualty clinging to the rocks and reported that the other had been caught in a rip tide and had become separated from his board.

The RNLI lifeboat from Mumbles was requested to assist in the search, the RAF Rescue Helicopter arrived on scene and winched the casualty to safety from the rocks before proceeding to search for the remaining casualty.

The RAF helicopter soon located the second casualty and winched him aboard, where it was ascertained that his condition was critical. Both casualties were immediately airlifted to Morriston hospital in Swansea.

John Sibley, Watch Manager at Swansea Coastguard said, "The conditions off Worms Head were quite atrocious, with gale force winds and a very heavy swell. The surfers were rescued by the RAF helicopter under extremely difficult conditions.