Climber falls THREE YOUTHS WERE CLIMBING down the cliff at Wylfa Headland on Wednesday, April 13, when a peg pulled out of the cliff and one of the boys fell about 35 feet into the sea, striking the cliff face and a submerged rock on his way. One ofthe other climbers, who was neatly at sea level, scrambled into the sea and managed to drag his unconscious friend clear of the water; then, with the help of the third climber, he tried to drag him up the cliff to safety. About 8 feet up, however, the injured youth became wedged in a crevice. While one of the two climbers remained with him, the other went back down the cliff, waded and swam to a beach and ran about two miles to a farmhouse to dial 999 and ask for the Police.

At 1820, Porthdinllaen Coastguard informed the honorary secretary of Abersoch ILB station that a boy had fallen down the cliff at Forth Ceiriad.

Maroons were fired and Abersoch ILB was launched at 1840.

The wind was moderate to fresh north westerly, force 4 to 5. The sea was choppy, with wind against tide. High water was at 1831.

Once the beach was cleared course was set at full speed for Forth Ceiriad. On passing the headland, Trwyn yr Wylfa, two miles from station, speed was reduced to half throttle and communications established with Abersoch Coastguard mobile. An estimated position of the injured boy was given by the mobile and the ILB crew sighted the casualty at 1900.

The ebb is one hour earlier at Forth Ceiriad than at Abersoch, and a heavy ground swell was running at the foot of the cliff beneath the casualty. Helmsman Barrie McGill decided to anchor, veer down to the cliff and disembark a crew member on the rocks at its foot.

Two attempts were made, but the boat could not be veered past a ledge running 10 foot out from the cliff which, because of the ground swell, was at times only just covered. Position was moved 30 yards to the north and the manoeuvre repeated, this time successfully. Crew Member Michael Davies climbed on to a rock and took two lines ashore, so that the boat was secured by the anchor line and a line from each quarter.

Helmsman McGill and Crew Member Noel Loughlin then swam ashore.

Michael Davies was left to tend the ILB while the other two crew members waded and swam to a position beneath the casualty. Noel Loughlin climbed the 8 feet and found the youth, unconscious and with a head wound, wedged firmly in the crevice; both he and his friend were showing signs of hypothermia.Realising that he could not lift the injured boy clear of the crevice, Noel Loughlin signalled to Barrie McGill to radio for helicopter help. Helmsman McGill waded and swam back to the ILB to pass this message to Abersoch mobile, and then returned to his position below the casualty.

At this stage Coastguard Officer N. D.

Arnott, Porthdinllaen station, came down the cliff on a line, followed by a stretcher. Between them, Noel Loughlin and Mr Arnott placed the injured youth in the stretcher and manhandled him to a ledge 25 feet higher, from which both he and the uninjured climber could be winched aboard the helicopter.

With the two youths safely away, Noel Loughlin was lowered to the base of the cliff. When all three crew members were back on board the ILB, anchor was weighed and the return passage to station made at full speed. The ILB was refuelled and ready for service at 2115.

For this service framed letters of appreciation signed by Major-General Ralph Farrant, Chairman of the Institution, have been presented to Helmsman Barrie D. McGill and Crew Members Noel H. Loughlin and Michael Davies..