Son sees dad swept out to sea at Ravenspoint

Dec 4 2002 By Elgan Hearn, Bangor And Anglesey Mail

THE use of a floatation suit probably saved the life of a fisherman who was swept into the sea off Anglesey last Thursday.

The man's 10-year-old son watched helplessly from shore as his father was swept into the waves off Ravenspoint, a popular fishing vantage point offTrearddur Bay,inrough seas.

The son asked passersby to contact the emergency services.

The incident happened less than a mile fro m Trearddur Bay Lifeboat station.

Alf Pritchard, spokesman for Trearddur Bay lifeboat station, said: "Fortunately, the man was wearing an orange/red floatation suit which kept him afloat, and helped our crew to spot him."

Rough seas swept the man, believed to be in hislate30s,from Wigan, Lancashire, away fro m the rocky coastline, which lifeboat men believe could have caused him a serious injury.

Alf Pritchard added: "We launched our Atlantic 75 class boat at 1.22pm, and the three man crew reached the man within a few minutes."

A Sea King rescue helicopter flew from RAF Valley to help, but was not required.

The man was taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, by ambulance where his condition was described as comfortable.