A climber was airlifted to hospital on Friday afternoon after falling at one of the county's most popular climbing locations. Twenty-five-year-old Chris Hudgins, from Stoke-on-Trent, fell 30 feet while lead climbing a route known as 'Tangerine Dream' on the cliffs to the west of St. Govan's Head. Some of the protection he had placed in the cliff pulled out, but his belay line took the strain just before he impacted with rocks at the bottom of the cliff, reducing the severity of the fall. His companion, Simon Wilson, who was belaying him at the time of the fall, immediately went to his aid. Simon then climbed out of the area to raise the alarm on his mobile 'phone, while three friends, preparing to climb nearby, rendered first aid. Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) Milford Haven Coastguard took the emergency call and immediately implemented a rescue plan. St. Govan's Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT), supported by team members from the Tenby, Manorbier and Castlemartin CRTs, were tasked, along with an RAF rescue helicopter, 'Rescue 122', from RAF Valley on Anglesey. Ambulance control was contacted for medical support and the police informed. The St. Govan's CRT was first on-scene and lowered team member, Pete Wayne, to render first aid and assess the injuries. It was soon after that the supporting team members arrived, along with ambulance and police units from Pembroke Dock. Ambulance EMT, John Dalton, was lowered down the cliff to commence medical intervention, followed by Tenby CRT member, Des Rees, who took additional equipment, including a Bothy bag to provide shelter from the sea spray. Ambulance locality manager, Rob Jeffrey, arrived in an ambulance rapid response vehicle and he, too, was lowered to the injured climber in order to use his paramedic skills. The climber was placed on a spinal board and made ready for evacuation. On arrival of 'Rescue 122', the helicopter winchman was lowered with a basket stretcher, into which the casualty was loaded and recovered into the helicopter and airlifted to Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest. The injured climber was released from hospital the following day after fortunately only sustaining severe bruising.
