News

Mass rescue as west Wales lifeguards save three lives during busy half-term

Published

2 months ago

June 3, 2026

THREE lives were saved and seven people rescued by Swansea RNLI lifeguards during a busy Bank Holiday and half-term period which saw a major rescue at Three Cliffs Bay.

RNLI lifeguards were called into action on the afternoon of Monday (May 25), when a powerful rip current pulled several beachgoers into difficulty.

Lifeguard Morgan Burgess first spotted two young children being carried out by the rip. A young boy was struggling to stay above the water, while a girl was unable to make it back to shore.

Morgan entered the water with a rescue tube, clipped the boy in and towed both children back to safety.

Within moments, the situation became even more serious.

Lifeguard Rhys Sabine had already seen adults in difficulty further out. He paddled a rescue board into the rip and reached a man and woman, getting them onto the board before urgently signalling for backup.

Lifeguard Riley Jones entered the water with a rescue tube, while Morgan returned to the sea with a board.

As the team pushed further out, Rhys saw a man going under. He left his board with the casualties already on it and swam to the man, pulling him back to the surface.

At the same time, Riley reached a woman and young girl, supporting them with a rescue tube. Morgan arrived with the board and the team worked together to bring everyone safely back to shore.

One adult male needed further care on the beach and was given oxygen while an ambulance was called. After assessment, he was discharged into the care of a family member and emergency services were stood down.

Vinny Vincent, Lead Lifeguard Supervisor, said: “The rescue was part of a demanding half-term period for lifeguard teams across the Swansea region, with sustained call-outs across multiple beaches throughout the week.

“The team’s swift and coordinated response meant that everyone who entered the water that afternoon made it home safely.”

The incident was one of several across the Swansea coastline during a hot and sunny half-term week, which brought large crowds to local beaches.

At Aberavon Beach, lifeguards assisted with a fracture and provided casualty care. They also dealt with several missing children, with support from the Coastguard, Port Talbot Lifeboat and Police.

On Tuesday (May 26), RNLI lifeguards at Langland Beach carried out five assists using a rescue board, mainly involving children who had got out of their depth. Lifeguards also dealt with two missing person incidents with assistance from the Coastguard and Police.

The RNLI is reminding people that, although air temperatures may feel warm at this time of year, the sea remains cold and cold water shock is still a serious risk.

Anyone who gets into difficulty in the water should Float To Live: tilt your head back, keep your ears submerged, relax and try to breathe normally, move your hands and feet to stay afloat, and call for help once you have regained control of your breathing.

Anyone who sees someone in difficulty in the water should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Crime

BMW driver admits causing serious injury in A48 Cross Hands crash

Published

30 minutes ago

July 27, 2026

Court Reporter

Max Dangerfield will be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court after collision involving a BMW and Toyota Prius

A YOUNG driver has admitted causing serious injury in an early-morning collision on the A48 after his BMW failed to stop for police.

Max Dangerfield, aged 20, of Cwmllethryd Ganol, Felinfoel, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 23.

Dangerfield indicated a guilty plea to causing serious injury to Imran Ilyas by driving dangerously on the A48 at Cross Hands.

The offence involved a BMW M140i and happened on January 25, 2025, when Dangerfield was 18.

The collision occurred at around 4.20am on the westbound carriageway between Cross Hands and Pont Abraham.

The Herald reported at the time that the crash involved a black BMW and a white Toyota Prius.

Dyfed-Powys Police said four people were taken to hospital following the collision. Their injuries were initially described as not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.

Police also confirmed that the BMW had failed to stop for officers before the collision.

Because of the police contact before the crash, the force notified the Independent Office for Police Conduct and began a formal referral process.

The A48 was closed in both directions between Cross Hands and Pont Abraham for much of the day while collision investigators examined the scene.

Diversions were put in place, with motorists advised to avoid the area as emergency services and investigators continued their work.

Dangerfield has now admitted that his driving caused serious injury to Mr Ilyas.

District Judge Mark Layton committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

A pre-sentence report was ordered and Dangerfield was placed under an interim driving disqualification.

He was released on unconditional bail and is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday, August 13.

Crime

Man in custody accused of intentionally strangling woman in Haverfordwest

Published

1 hour ago

July 27, 2026

Court Reporter

Carl Rago is also awaiting sentence after admitting criminal damage to a police van and mobile phone

A CILGERRAN man has been remanded in custody after being accused of intentionally strangling a woman in Haverfordwest.

Carl Rago, aged 29, of Penffynnon, Cilgerran, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 23.

Rago is charged with intentionally strangling Kelly Marie Picton in Haverfordwest on May 25.

No plea has yet been entered to the strangulation charge and the allegation has not been proved.

The court also heard that Rago had previously indicated a guilty plea to criminal damage following a separate incident in Haverfordwest on June 7.

That charge states that he damaged the inside of a Dyfed-Powys Police Vauxhall van and a Samsung mobile phone belonging to the force. The damage was valued at less than £5,000.

Rago was remanded in custody until his next hearing at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on August 13.

The court record states that the decision to refuse bail followed concerns that he could commit further offences, together with an alleged breach of bail conditions, the nature and seriousness of the alleged offending, and his previous record.

Crime

Fishguard man banned from driving after failing to provide blood sample

Published

1 hour ago

July 27, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Arnold Phillips was banned for 3 years and ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work

A FISHGUARD man has been banned from driving for three years after admitting that he failed to provide a blood sample during a police investigation.

Arnold Phillips, aged 35, of Pontfaen, Fishguard, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 23.

Phillips admitted failing without reasonable excuse to provide a specimen of blood for laboratory analysis in Cardigan on June 9.

The sample had been requested as part of an investigation into whether he had committed a road traffic offence.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order and ordered Phillips to complete 180 hours of unpaid work.

He was disqualified from driving for 36 months and must pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £114 court surcharge.

Phillips also admitted failing, without good cause, to provide a non-intimate sample to establish whether he had a Class A drug in his body while being held in police detention.

No separate penalty was imposed for that offence.

A separate charge alleging that Phillips drove a BMW without due care and attention on the A4076 in Cardigan was dismissed after the prosecution offered no evidence.