Challenging situation

On the evening of 22 May 2023, R924 was tasked to reports of two casualties cut off by tide and swept into a cave at Bassetts Cove near Portreath in North Cornwall. Arriving on scene in just six minutes, the team were met by a challenging situation.

Coastguard Rescue Officers had thrown a lifejacket and line into the surf, but powerful swells made access to the cave impossible. Despite attempting to pull themselves free from the white-water with the line, the casualty lost his grip and was left struggling in the swell.

Seeing the situation escalate, R924’s crew swung into action. Winch Paramedic Carlton Real was lowered towards the casualty, while the nearby cliffs, thrashing surf and poor weather conditions made winching a difficult ordeal. 

Carlton was repeatedly engulfed by the waves and submerged in the surf but managed to grip the casualty and pull them further out of the cave. Amid pounding waves Carlton’s grip was soon broken but thankfully the casualty was grabbed by coastguards and pulled to safety on rocks nearby.

Upon returning to the aircraft, exhausted Carlton was provided with oxygen. As he tried to regain his breathing, reports came in that the casualty was deteriorating rapidly. Carlton immediately volunteered to be lowered down so that the person flown to hospital for emergency care.

Despite his own condition, Carlton carried out a textbook winch transfer and soon both he and his casualty were en-route to hospital. Meanwhile, the crew of Rescue 924 were replaced at the scene by another coastguard helicopter and a four-hour long operation, the remaining casualty was rescued from the cave.