Rescue Services

[Hugo]

I have just come back after walking my dog and I met a neighbour on the walk.     He asked me if I had seen the helicopter and said that the lights I had seen were from the Lifeboat that was out searching for something but he didn;t know what they were searching for.   

[Hugo]

Coastguard helicopter joins night search for man missing on Conwy coast
The man was thought to be in the Rhos on Sea or Colwyn Bay area


https://ct.moreover.com/?a=55307538557&p=14e&v=1&x=AQr6UvgAJm8YnR9SF4ZUiw&u1=ND&u2=up-urn:user:PA187552270

[SteveH]

Police have been searching for a missing dogwalker that it is feared could have been swept away by floodwaters.

The man disappeared on Saturday afternoon around the River Conwy in Trefriw, with searches commencing shortly after 4pm when a family member raised the alarm.

Fields near the river often inundate during heavy rain, raising concerns he may have been caught in the swollen river.

The man's dog has been found safe, but despite extensive searches involving the fire service, police, ambulance service, and a Coastguard helicopter, the man remains missing.

Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team reported that rain, melting snow and ice, combined with high tide, have increased water levels.

Thermal imaging cameras on the helicopter helped track the river but the man has not yet been found.

Search efforts are expected to resume this morning.                    https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/24746446.conwy-major-search-man-missing-storm-bert/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[Hugo]

Sadly there wasn't a happy end to this story      Body found in search for man missing during Storm Bert


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c17011dw00ro

[SteveH]

North Wales mountain rescuers at 'breaking point' as call-outs soar

MS Sam Rowlands has called for more support for services which were 'not sustainable'

North Wales mountain rescuers are at "breaking point" and in need of support a North Wales MS said. Sam Rowlands, said there needs to be more help for rescue services in Wales, as he called for a statement from the Welsh Government on outdoor safety.

Mr Rowlands cited Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, which has already exceeded last year's more than 300 call-outs, which was "not sustainable". He said: “The cross-party group for outdoor activities met on Friday, in Llanberis, which is the busiest mountain rescue station in the whole of the United Kingdom................... https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-mountain-rescuers-breaking-30462785

[Hugo]

North Wales mountain rescuers at 'breaking point' as call-outs soar
MS Sam Rowlands has called for more support for services which were 'not sustainable'
Accidents can happen to the most experienced and best equipped climbers but something needs to be done to protect the Mountain Rescue Teams from the Loonies who are loose on the mountains and I agree with Sam that the situation is unsustainable but he hasn't suggested a solution other than extra funding.
The online conversations seem to suggest that the irresponsible people who seek the services of the Mountain Rescue Teams should be fined.   It would be nice to hear other peoples opinion on this

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-mountain-rescuers-breaking-30462785

[Hammy]

I am part of a group of old work colleagues who have regularly walked in the various mountain ranges that the country has to offer. We try to do our little bit by 'charging' each member a nominal fee for each outing and then contributing the collection on an  annual basis to the Llanberis Mountain Rescue team (other mountain rescue teams are available).

[Hugo]

Well done to you and your group Hammy,  like all responsible walkers you don't want to have to call out the Mountain Rescue services but your generous contributions are for the benefit of those that do have to make the emergency call out
We made individual contributions for the MRT  and Steffan who has the cafe on the Llanberis Path made a lot of contributions too.
The problem is that these irresponsible people don't realise how many volunteers are involved in their rescue and also the cost involved.    I don't know what the answer is but in the very least the people that have been rescued should be spoken to and invited to make a donation to the MRT

[SteveH]

A “severely hypothermic” person floundering in the sea near a Conwy resort was plucked to safety after being spotted by member of the public. A Coastguard helicopter was part of a rapid multi-agency response said to have “saved” the individual’s life.

The drama unfolded around 12.30pm yesterday (Friday, November 29) following reports that a person – reported locally to be female – was in difficulties near Colwyn Bay pier. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said a helicopter, coastguards, ambulance and an RNLI lifeboat crew were sent to the scene......https://www.dailypost.co.uk/in-your-area/severely-hypothermic-person-sparked-major-30485742?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[Hugo]

After having a red alert for Storm Darrragh   I just hope that the MRT and the RNLI do not have to be called out to rescue anyone.      The weather is simply atrocious and common sense should prevail

[SteveH]

Hopes new Llandudno watch station will help 'preserve lives at sea'
The National Coastwatch Institution wants to build a new watch station at Llandudno's West Shore

The application seeks planning permission for a material change of use of part of the existing car park to an NCI coast watch station. The application says the current station is mounted on a trailer, but if granted planning permission, the structure will be replaced with a new larger moveable station, described as a "modular portacabin unit"...https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/hopes-new-llandudno-watch-station-30520420?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[Hugo]

Ill-equipped walkers lost on Yr Wyddfa track rescued on Christmas Day
'They were without food, water, appropriate clothing or head torches'

A Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team statement said: "Christmas day was of course [not] without its problems. Team members left their families, turkeys and mince pies at 6pm on a callout for three individuals who were lost on the PYG track in the dark. They were without food, water, appropriate clothing or head torches!!!"
What else can you say about these morons that hasn't been said before?       




https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/ill-equipped-walkers-lost-yr-30665362

[Hugo]

Stranded walkers 'unable to continue' on steep descent rescued on Tryfan
Ten volunteers from Ogwen Valley Rescue Team called to incident


https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/stranded-walkers-unable-continue-steep-30713529

[SteveH]

Dog walkers lost in deep snow rescued from Eryri mountain
A man, woman and dog lost their way as darkness fell on Carnedd y Filiast

"Unfortunately, they lost their way and were wandering through deep snow in freezing conditions. As darkness was approaching, no head torches and limited phone battery, they made the decision to call for mountain rescue." .......... https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/dog-walkers-lost-deep-snow-30750537

[Hugo]

How often has it been said that walkers should be properly equipped before they venture into the mountains.    More so in conditions like we are having now.
It was the 9th January 2024 when a walker died in that area and these dog walkers could easily have gone the same way.     Thankfully everyone and the MRT came back safe and sound
When I used to do Mountain walking with friends in Winter conditions we had a rule that we must be down by 2.00 pm as that is about the time when the
conditions get worse