COASTGUARD NEWS - WESTERN REGION             

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Western 093/01
29 July 2001

CLIFF JUMP YOUTH SERIOUSLY INJURED

Swansea Coastguard was alerted after lifeguards spotted a boy at the foot of cliffs in Barry Island, south Wales on 28 July 2001.

A group of youths thought to be tomb-stoning, a game in which youngsters jump from cliffs into the sea, when the 14 year old was allegedly pushed from a 25ft high point at Friars Point.

Steve Goal, 38, from Cardiff, went to his rescue but as he was picking his way down the sheer cliff face, he slipped and fell, breaking his leg.


Rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor
took injured youth to hospital
Coastguards scrambled a rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor near Barnstaple, north Devon, a cliff rescue team from Barry and Barry Dock RNLI lifeboat. Police and ambulance crews were also called to the scene.

Rescue teams raced against time to save the pair as fast-approaching high tides threatened to swamp their landing spots.

The boy suffered leg, pelvic and spinal injuries when he plunged down the cliff face but his injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

The boy was winched to University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, by the helicopter while ambulance and lifeboat crews dealt with Mr. Goal.

Police arrested a teenager at the scene. Inspector Chris Daniel, of South Wales police, said he was "assisting police with their inquiries into the incident."