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North Wales Live
06-07-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
Parents in kayaks rescued after incident involving child at Anglesey beach
Parents in kayaks had to be rescued after getting into difficulty, during an incident involving a child, at Benllech Beach on Anglesey, yesterday (Saturday). Rescuers said the 11-year-old child "was never in difficulty and remained safe and well throughout" as the mum and dad were rescued. A Moelfre Coastguard statement yesterday (Sunday) said: "At 14:26 today, Moelfre Coastguard Rescue Team were tasked to reports of two kayakers appearing to be in difficulty off the beach at Benllech. As our team made their way to the scene, our colleagues at RNLI Moelfre launched their All-Weather Lifeboat (ALB) on service. "Additional information soon followed — the first informant was with an 11-year-old child, whose parents were the two individuals in difficulty on the water. "The ALB crew quickly located and recovered both kayakers. Due to concerns for the wellbeing of one casualty, they were taken directly back to the lifeboat station for further care. We were asked to remain with the child in the meantime. "Speaking with the child, we learned they had been out kayaking with their mum. While they safely returned to shore, mum encountered difficulty. Dad instructed the child to stay put while he launched his own kayak to assist — unfortunately, both adults were then caught in a strong offshore breeze and unable to return. "With one person needing medical attention, an ambulance was requested to the lifeboat station, and North Wales Police attended to help reunite the child with their parents." Molefre Coastguard said in summary: "The child was never in difficulty and remained safe and well throughout. Mum became stuck first, and dad attempted a rescue, resulting in both needing assistance. Thankfully, the first informant made the right call to 999 and asked for the Coastguard, allowing for a swift and safe rescue." A statement from Molefre RNLI said they had just finished a job, helping to evacuate a sick member from an offshore supply vessel, when they were called to assist. "Immediately after securing the boat from the first shout, reports came in that two kayakers were in difficulties approximately one nautical mile north of Saint David's. The kayakers had managed to call the Coastguard themselves, having wisely used waterproof pouches to protect their means of communication," the statement said. "Recognising the urgency of the situation, the decision was made to swiftly re-launch the ALB, which was already on the slip, and she was back in the water shortly after 2:18 pm. "The ALB made best speed to the position to find one casualty in the water who was suffering from being cold after being in the water for approximately twenty minutes, and started having a panic attack. "The casualty in the water was lifted out and taken into the wheelhouse of the ALB, where the crew could carry out a first aid assessment. An ambulance was then requested after the casualty stated that she had ingested some seawater. Moelfre CRT were also tasked. "After recovering the second casualty and both kayaks by 2:30 pm, the ALB returned to the station, allowing the two casualties to be taken into the warm changing room and monitored by our trained casualty care crew members until an ambulance arrived. Both casualties were handed over to the ambulance crew and went to the hospital for further examination." The Coastguard statement added: "A great result today thanks to fast, coordinated action from all involved. We wish mum a full and speedy recovery. In a coastal emergency, always dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard."
North Wales Live
02-06-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
Sailing dinghies capsize 'at same time' leaving young girl in desperate position
A young girl was left holding on for dear life when a small dinghy capsized off Anglesey's west coast. It was one of two boats that capsized at the same time in strong gusts near Red Wharf Bay (Traeth Coch). A member of the public saw the drama unfolding and they were to play a key role in the rescue operation. The young girl had been thrown into the water and separated from the dinghy, which was drifting further out to sea with her frantic mother on board. Having swallowed sea water, the youngster clung on desperately to a red buoy. Another sailing dinghy was also overturned in winds gusting up to 35 knots. The occupants made it safely back to shore, managing to beach their vessel. With the girl still holding on to a buoy, a Mayday message was issued. Responding were RNLI Moelfre inshore lifeboat and the Moelfre Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT). By the time they arrived, a jet ski rider had already plucked her to safety. After witnessing the incident, he was 'quick to think and act', launching his jet ski from David's Caravan Park, where he was a resident. Having retrieved both the girl and her mother, he took them back to shore along with their dinghy. RNLI Moelfre said the man played a 'crucial role' in the rescue after spotting the girl in the water. Having been returned to the shore, the pair were passed into the care of Moelfre CRT officers, who took the girl to Traeth Coch Sailing Club to dry off and warm up. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now A Coastguard spokesperson said: 'One young casualty was in a state of shock after ingesting sea water. After observation, the young person was handed into the care of their family, who took them to hospital as a precaution. The second casualty was uninjured and required no further assistance. 'It appears strong offshore gusts had caused both boats to capsize at the same time. While the rescue boat responded to one, a good Samaritan on a jet ski helped the others – fantastic teamwork all round.' Having established all dinghy occupants were now safe, the inshore lifeboat returned to Moelfre. En route, they reported seeing several kayaks on the water, so Moelfre CRT officers headed north to carry out 'welfare checks' at Traeth Benllech and Traeth Bychan. At the latter, children were spotted on an inflatable paddleboard. On this occasion, however, they were safely secured to a buoy and all wearing personal flotation devices under the watchful eye of their parents. The coastguard team said they were 'happy to see best practices being followed'. The rescue took place around 2.45pm on Saturday, May 31. It wasn't until 5.27pm that the coastguard team were finally stood down. Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday Gaz Owen, RNLI Moelfre ILB helm, said: 'This incident underscores the critical importance of checking the conditions to ensure they are safe and suitable before heading out on your chosen craft or activity. 'Offshore winds can prove challenging to the most experienced surfboarders and kayakers. Safety checks are not just a formality, they are a crucial part of water safety.'
