Castle tombstoning incident prompts rescue and safety plea

North Wales Chronicle

01-07-2025

The incident happened on Monday evening.
Both Lifeboats from Criccieth's RNLI Lifeboat Station launched following reports of a young person stuck on cliffs beneath Criccieth Castle.
Another individual, who had tried to help, was assisted out of the water suffering from the effects of the cold.
Supporting the lifeboat was Criccieth Coastguard Rescue Team, Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team, North Wales Police, North Wales Fire and Rescue, the Welsh Ambulance Service attended and HM Coastguard's Rescue 936 helicopter.
A police drone was also used.
A statement from RNLI Criccieth Lifeboat said: "At 9.06pm on Monday evening both Lifeboats from Criccieth's RNLI Lifeboat Station launched immediately following reports of a youth stuck on cliffs beneath Criccieth Castle. The youth had been part of a larger group who were tomb-stoning from boulders, prior to climbing onto a higher ledge and being unable to climb down. Another youth, who'd tried to help, was assisted out of the water suffering from the effects of the cold.
"The crew, alongside teams from Gwylwyr y Glannau Criccieth / Criccieth Coastguard Rescue Team, Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team, North Wales Police, North Wales Fire & Rescue and the Welsh Ambulance Service attended, as well as HM Coastguard's Rescue 936 Helicopter.
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"Following a full assessment of the situation-including use of a police drone-the emergency services concluded that the safest means of extracting the youth was for a member of Criccieth's HM Coastguard team to abseil down the high cliff from near the castle, secure the youth in a strop, and continue the descent down to the station's awaiting inshore rescue boat.
"The crew transferred the youth, who was suffering from the effects of the cold, into the care of an awaiting ambulance team.
"The Rescue 936 helicopter flew at low-level illuminating the scene whilst the rescue was concluded.
"All emergency services remained at the scene during the complex, multi-agency response.
A spokesperson on behalf of the RNLI Criccieth Lifeboat said: "Diving off the boulders and cliffs around the castle is common-place during the summer months, however anyone going onto the rocks should be aware of the grave danger. It's a high-risk activity that has the potential to end in injury or tragedy.
"Thankfully the evening's incident concluded safely due to the response of the crew, other emergency services and notably the bravery of our local HM Coastguard team.
"It's a reminder of the significant dangers of such activities.
"We wish the youth a speedy recovery.
"We'd also like to remind people not to place themselves in danger when seeking to help, and instead dial 999 and ask for the appropriate emergency service."