Six South Wales Police officers have been recognised after rescuing a woman in difficulty at Aberavon Beach.
At around 9:40pm on Thursday December 11, in very poor visibility and in extremely challenging weather conditions, Sandfields PC Molly Cana located the 66-year-old woman from Aberavon trapped and upside-down, in-between the wave-breakers and the pier.
Unable to move, the woman’s life was at extreme risk as waves battered the pier, repeatedly leaving her head completely submerged.
Officers were unable to physically reach the woman due to the risk of them being swept out to sea. However, with the assistance of the woman’s son-in-law Jamie, the officers managed to tie a throw rope around her ankle and formed a human chain to pull her out, before administering first aid.
The woman had sustained serious injuries to her leg, face, arms and body and required treatment for a calf injury, ten fractured ribs and a punctured spleen, amongst other injuries.
The officers remained with the woman until the arrival of the coast guard.
PC Molly Cana, SPC Colin Davies, SPC David Bird, PC Robert Morgan, PC Daniel Davies and Sergeant Paul Bamsey have all been nominated for a bravery award.
Inspector Will John said:
“This was a tremendous display of bravery from all of the officers involved, in what were dangerous and very difficult conditions.
“The officers placed the safety of the woman before their own and I have little doubt that this incident would have had far worse consequences for the woman had the officers not found her when they did.
“It is certain that the quick thinking of officers and the woman’s son-in-law Jamie has saved her life.”
