Current timestamp: 21/03/2023 11:22:50
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

dyfed-powys-header-logo

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • How to tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
    • Feedback about the website

Police Officers, PCSOs and a Special Constable praised

Main article content

Navigation

Carmarthenshire

16:07 28/04/2021

The ‘exceptional teamwork’ of police officers, PCSOs and a Special Constable who rescued a pensioner and his great-granddaughter at Llanelli beach has been commended.

Dyfed-Powys Police responded swiftly to a call reporting that a 71-year-old man and his three-year-old great-granddaughter had got into difficulty in mud on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 21.

Discovering that the man was unable to get himself and the little girl to safety, a team of officers, PCSOs and a Special Constable immediately made their way to the beach.

Sergeant Ben Ashton said: “This was an urgent situation as the 71-year-old was stuck on his back on the mud, with the three-year-old on his lap and their dog nearby.

“The little girl was crying, and was clearly frightened and cold.”

Following initial difficulties in reaching the pair on the mud, officers made their way along a rocky outcrop, taking throwlines from police vehicles in the hope the man could be pulled to safety.

However, their efforts were unsuccessful due to the distance between the officers and the casualties, and sinking sand prevented them from getting any closer.

Sgt Ashton said: “By this point, the little girl was getting very cold, and the team was a considerable distance from their vehicles and first aid kits.

“PC Aled Davies showed great initiative in tying a foil blanket to a rope and throwing it across so the man could wrap it around his great-granddaughter to keep her warm.

“He was also suffering and was struggling to breathe at times, making the rescue even more urgent.”

Constant reassurance was offered to the man to lessen the risk that he would panic and get stuck deeper in the mud.

Two PCS were also appointed as police contacts for the family of the casualties to update them on the situation and keep them calm.

Partners from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, the Welsh Ambulance Service and Coastguard attended the beach, with the fire service able to get the little girl to the officers on the rocks.

“Special Constable Rachel Thomas proved to be of great comfort to the little girl, holding her while the rescue continued, and helping to get her into a life raft with her great-grandfather,” Sgt Ashton said.

“Thanks to a specialist fire team and HM Coastguard, the man, little girl and the dog were finally winched safely back to the beach.”

The man was taken to hospital to be checked over, while the little girl was left in the care of her family.

Praising the team, Chief Inspector Stuart Bell said: “The Officers, PCSOs and Special Constables who responded to this call showed exceptional teamwork in making their way swiftly to the man and his granddaughter, coordinating with partners to ensure a safe rescue, and supporting the family, who must have found this a harrowing event.

“Their hard work, efforts and ability to stay calm under pressure resulted in the best outcome – ensuring the safety of two people in distress.”

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Dyfed-Powys Police

  • Contact us
  • Find a police station
  • Your area
  • Careers
  • About us
  • News
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy Notice
  • Terms and conditions
  • Cookies
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention advice
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Stats and data
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Thanks and complaints

Partners

  • Police and Crime Commissioner
  • Police.uk
  • Ask the police

Language

  • Cymraeg

Follow us on

© Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.