A member of the public had to be winched to safety by the coastguard rescue helicopter after getting into difficulty in the River Neath. Volunteer rescuers from RNLI Port Talbot "dropped everything" when they were alerted to a person in the water - who had been "cut off by the tide" on the sandbank on the Swansea side of the River Neath on the afternoon of Saturday, October 22 - and immediately raced to the scene.
The team launched their inshore D-Class lifeboat and soon called for assistance from the Coastguard rescue helicopter, which was luckily on-exercise in the area. Coastguard rescuers assisted RNLI volunteers and "winched the casualty to safety from the increasing incoming tide".
A spokesperson for RNLI Port Talbot explained: "RNLI Port Talbot volunteer crew were tasked by her Majesty's Coastgaurd Milford Haven at 2.24pm to go to the aid of a person in the water who was cut off by the tide on the sandbank, Swansea side of the river Neath." Want the latest Neath Port Talbot news straight to your inbox? We send our email subscribers a newsletter twice per week with the latest news from the region. Sign up here
Read more: Serious crash closes road in Cwmavon in both directions
"The volunteer crew responded with speed and professionalism, launching their inshore, d-class lifeboat, 816. The Coastguard rescue helicopter 187 was on-exercise in the area, so they were also able to respond rapidly and winched the casualty to safety from the increasing incoming tide."
"This was the first service call for newly qualified volunteer helm James Jennings, who launched with the boat crew through heavy autumn surf. It was also the first shout for shore crew member Emma Taylor," the spokesperson added.
Speaking about his first service call as helm, RNLI volunteer James Jennings said: "'When you have reports of someone in the water, time is of the essence and all the years of training for these moments kick in. The volunteer crew, shore crew and driver all worked in perfect unison.
"The launch was challenging with a big surf built up by the onshore winds. As we arrived on scene, the Coastguard rescue helicopter 187 was fortunately on-exercise in the area and winched the casualty to safety. This was a fine example of rescue agencies working together, turning an emergency into a rescue with a successful outcome. I would like to thank all the Port Talbot RNLI volunteers who dropped everything on a Saturday afternoon to save lives at sea."
Lifeboat operations manager for Port Talbot RNLI, Clive Morris added: "[Saturday] was the first service call for our newly qualified helm James Jennings and he coped well with the tricky five-to six-foot surf. James’s seamanship and knowledge skilfully guided the lifeboat throughout the shout. The pilot of the rescue helicopter took the decision to winch the casualty to safety. It showed how by working in partnership with other agencies, a good result is made easier."
You can watch the return of the lifeboat to shore in the video shared by RNLI Port Talbot below:
READ NEXT
The everyday heroes who put their lives on the line around Wales’ coast to save strangers
The pizza shop giving away free hot takeaway meals to people using a foodbank
