COASTGUARD NEWS - WESTERN REGION             

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Western 064/01
23 April 2001

CLIFF FALL BOY IS AIRLIFTED WITH SUSPECTED SPINAL INJURIES

Holyhead Coastguard received a 999 message via ambulance control at 12.30 pm on 20 April 2001 to report that a boy had fallen from the cliffs at Benllech. The 13 year old from Benllech had been walking along the top of the cliffs with his mother when he had slipped and fallen around 8 ft to the shore.

The Coastguard requested the Moelfre Coastguard Rescue Team to attend the scene. They assessed the situation and due to the terrain and the extent of the boy's injuries requested the assistance of a rescue helicopter.


Rescue helicopter from RAF Valley
The Rescue Helicopter from RAF Valley was scrambled and airlifted the boy to Bangor Hospital with suspected spinal injuries and a bloody nose. Weather on scene was cold and sunny with easterly force 3-4 winds.

Bungy Williamson, Watch Manager at Holyhead Coastguard said, "With the recent wet weather, cliff paths have become very unstable and slippery throughout the region. We would urge people to take extreme care when walking along cliffs at the moment and to stay well away from edges and uneven ground. As can be seen from this incident, even a short fall can result in serious injury."