Climbers stuck on cliffs near South Stack sparks multi-agency rescue
Two climbers got stuck on cliffs near South Stack on Anglesey, sparking a multi-agency rescue. Cliff rescue teams and lifeboat crews were scrambled to the incident near Elin's Tower, after a man and woman became stuck.
A RNLI Holyhead Lifeboat Station statement issued yesterday (Thursday) said: "Our lifeboat crew were called out on Wednesday, 14 May after two climbers got into difficulty on cliffs near South Stack.
"Pagers sounded just after 3pm, requesting the launch of the all-weather lifeboat Frederick Storey Cockburn, and RNLI volunteers rushed quickly to the port where she is berthed, launching within minutes. The climbers, one male and one female, had become cragfast – unable to move up or down the cliffs - near Elin's Tower.
"Local cliff rescue teams were already at the scene, and lifeboats were needed to support them in their endeavours to bring both casualties to safety. The D-class lifeboat at our flank station Trearddur Bay Lifeboat Station, Clive and Imelda Rawlins 2, was also paged, and in order to further support the rescue, our ILB, Mary and Archie Hooper, was also launched.
"It had been decided that one casualty, who was nearer the top of the cliff would be winched up to the top by the cliff rescue volunteers, while the second casualty, who was in a lower position on the cliff face, was to be lowered to a ledge near sea level and then transferred back to shore by lifeboat. The lifeboat crews were able to assist in identifying where to place the ropes, further enabling a faster rescue.
"Once the casualty was lowered down, she was first placed onto Trearddur Bay's D-class, before being safely transferred to our ALB. Meanwhile, the first casualty had been winched safely to the top of the cliffs." Lifeboats then headed to Trearddur Bay, where both casualties were reunited, safe and well.
Coxswain Mark Wade said: "This was a great multi-agency rescue, alongside our flank station and the cliff rescue teams from Holyhead and Moelfre, with a good outcome for the casualties. Both climbers were well equipped and experienced, showing these incidents can happen to anyone."
He added: "Thankfully they knew to call for help, and dialled 999 and asked for assistance."
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