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Western 080/01
26 June 2001
QUICK THINKING SAVES GIRL FROM DROWNING
| Swansea Coastguards
received a 999 call at just before 7pm on 24 June 2001, reporting
5 children cut off by the tide at Pembrey Harbour, near Llanelli.
The children, all aged between 6 and 12 years, had been walking
out on a sand spit at Cefn Sidan at low water when they realised
that the incoming tide was rapidly cutting them off from the
shore. Swansea Coastguards scrambled the RAF rescue helicopter
from Chivenor, launched the Burry Port inshore lifeboat and tasked
Burry Port Coastguards to help from the shoreline. |
RAF rescue helicopter from
Chivenor
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| As the
lifeboat arrived on scene, they found 4 children had managed to wade
back to the shore but one girl had nearly been swept away.
Fortunately, a quick thinking friend had managed to get ashore and
find a Rescue Torpedo buoy which he had thrown to the girl, and he
was in the process of helping to keeping her afloat and pulling her
to the shore. The girl was exhausted and taken to hospital.
Swansea Coastguard Watch Manager Terry Baldwin said, "This
is a good example of what can occur when walking across sand at low
water especially at spring tides. Youngsters and parents alike
should always be extremely careful and make certain that their
return path remains both safe and dry. Without a doubt, this
fortunate girl owes her life to the quick thinking and aptitude of
her young friend." |
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