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Injured climber returns to say thank you to volunteers who saved his life

Lifeboats News Release

Exactly one year ago today, June 1, 2024, Holyhead RNLI, along with flank station Trearddur Bay and other agencies, carried out one of their longest rescues in recent years, when a climber was badly injured after falling 50ft on cliffs in Holyhead.

RNLI/Vicki Owens

Climber Jon with the crew of Holyhead RNLI on Saturday
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Dramatic footage and photographs were captured on the day, which began in the early evening and went well into the night.

Yesterday, the casualty, Jon, who is originally from Newcastle Upon Tyne, paid a visit to Holyhead Lifeboat Station to say thank you, and was greeted by many of the crew who were called out that day.

Jon has thankfully made a full recovery from his injuries, which included pelvic and spinal fractures. He’s since celebrated his 30th birthday, graduated from Sheffield University, and is now working researching river pollution.

Jon, an experienced climber, remembers the incident in Gogarth Bay, between North Stack and South Stack, vividly. He chatted with the crew, recounting various moments from the eight-hour rescue - even down to watching the sunset with crew while he was being treated on the 7ft ledge he had landed on, just 10 feet above sea level.

Luckily, on the day, Jon’s climbing partner was able to get back up to the top of the cliffs and raise the alarm, and that’s when Holyhead RNLI, and then Trearddur Bay RNLI, were called. Three lifeboats, - two from Holyhead and one from Trearddur Bay, the local volunteer cliff rescue teams and the HM Coastguard helicopter, all played vital parts in treating Jon and getting him to safety.

Holyhead crewman (and now coxswain) Mark Wade and Trearddur Bay’s then crewman Mike Doran have since received recognition from the RNLI for their casualty care that day, all carried out on the small cramped ledge, over an intense seven hours.

Talking to the crew at Holyhead lifeboat station yesterday, Jon said:

‘I feel extremely grateful to be here, and it’s great to be back to see everyone and say thank you in person. I can remember quite a lot of it, especially from when you all arrived and the blanket was put around me on the cliff ledge. I knew I was in good hands then.'

He added:

‘I look forward to staying in touch and coming back over to see everyone again. I really want to do all I can in the future to help with fundraising as a thank you for everything that you all did for me last year.’

Holyhead RNLI coxswain Mark Wade said:

'It was amazing to see Jon again, so fit and well, and living a normal life. The fact that he and his friend were experienced and well-equipped on the day of the accident, and were able to call for help, no doubt played a part in his survival.'

Since the incident, Jon's family have stayed in touch with Holyhead's volunteers, and have raised vital funds for the RNLI to say thank you for saving his life.

For any further information, please contact Vicki Owens, RNLI Holyhead Lifeboat Press Officer on 07531 681409, or at [email protected]

RNLI/Vicki Owens

Holyhead RNLI coxswain Mark Wade (left), who treated Jon at the scene last year, with Jon at Holyhead Lifeboat Station
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Holyhead RNLI

Jon's dramatic rescue captured last year
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Jon was able to graduate at Sheffield University just weeks after his fall
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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

About the author

Vicki Owens
Lifeboat Press Officer, Holyhead Lifeboat Station

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