Caernarfon Coastguard helicopter rescue three people in 4 hours

With the sun shining yesterday afternoon many people ventured out to climb the Welsh mountains, which in turn saw the Caernarfon Coastguard search and rescue helicopter rescue three people in the space of 4 hours.
Paul Jones, Winchman for the Caernarfon Coastguard helicopter said that with the superb assistance of the Mountain Rescue Teams in the area, a total of three people were rescued yesterday, including one injured person at Bala in Snowdonia.
The rescues began to unfold at 1.30pm yesterday (21 September) when the helicopter was called to Bala after receiving a request for assistance from North Wales Police and South Snowdonia Mountain Rescue Team to help a female walker who had fallen and injured her back near a remote waterfall.  The casualty was airlifted and taken to Bangor Hospital. 
As the helicopter crew were refuelling back at base they were immediately called out again at 4.00pm to assist two cragfast climbers on Crib Goch.  The couple had gone off route and had managed to find themselves in a very precarious position and could only be reached by helicopter.  Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team were also called out to the location.  A long winch was used to reach the couple – approximately 220ft.  Thanks to the skills of the crew and the Winch Operator, Paul was delivered to a precise point on narrow and inaccessible ledge.  Both casualties were uninjured and were airlifted to safety. 
Speaking of the crew’s busy day yesterday, Paul said: ‘Thankfully, we had the assistance of the Mountain Rescue Teams on scene and the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre, who were able to fully brief us on the call-outs before we arrived on scene. This allowed us to find the casualties straight away and rescue them in the shortest amount of time.  Both casualties were recovered in less than 15 minutes from Crib Goch.  We wish them all a speedy recovery.’






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