News
Fishguard RNLI’s fourth launch over Easter
FISHGUARD RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat set off on its fourth Easter task on Monday (Apr 17) to attend a sailing boat whose engine had failed.
The lifeboat launched at 8.20pm with a full volunteer crew and set off into a brisk Force 4 headwind to the stricken 40 foot racing yacht ‘Forty Shades’ with its four crew aboard.
The yacht was travelling from Hamble to Holyhead when the engine failed resulting in the yacht’s instrumentation failing also.
The yacht was five miles north-east of Fishguard and once on the scene the lifeboat took the yacht under tow back to Fishguard harbour, arriving at 1030pm.
One of the yacht’s crew said: “I have always had tremendous faith in the RNLI and it was a great relief to hear on the radio from the Coastguard that the lifeboat was on its way to help us.”
The yacht’s engine problems were resolved the following morning and the thankful crew were able to continue their journey north at midday.
News
Angle RNLI locate missing person in early morning search
THE ANGLE LIFEBOAT’S crew were paged at 3:23am this morning (Sun, Dec 29) to assist the police with a search for a missing person in the Milford Haven area. Police officers had located an item of clothing on the beach and with concern that a person may have entered the water, the lifeboat was requested to assist.
Tasked to search from Milford Beach to the Rath, the lifeboat was soon on scene and a search was commenced. Not long into the search, the crew spotted a casualty on the rocks to the east of Milford Beach.
The Y boat was deployed and a crew member went ashore to reassure the casualty. Shortly after, the person was taken onboard the Y boat and handed over to police officers and members of Dale and Broad Haven Costguard Rescue Teams at the bottom of Slip Hill. With the casualty cold and wet, Y boat returned to the lifeboat to collect blankets.
After a brief handover, the Y boat was recovered and the lifeboat returned to her berth and readied for further service by 4:45am.
Crime
Youths failed to stop, then crashed into Milford Haven home
POLICE in Milford Haven have arrested two male youths following a fail-to-stop incident that ended with their car crashing into a residential property on Hamilton Terrace.
The incident occurred at 10:50pm on Friday (Dec 27). According to officers, a black Mercedes failed to stop on North Road before speeding along The Rath and turning back onto Hamilton Terrace. As the car continued down the road, it was met by a second police vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.
In an attempt to avoid the oncoming police car and another pursuing from behind, the vehicle tried to drive up Francis Street against the one-way system. However, it failed to make the turn and crashed into a residential property.
The occupants then fled on foot, with one officer pursuing on foot and another driving against the one-way system towards The Trafalgar Public House.
The property sustained damage to a wall, and the vehicle was left undrivable and is now being recovered. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident.
The police were seen searching the crashed vehicle, and took several paper bags full of potential evidence from the scene.
Community
Milford Haven mum gives birth to triplets amid medical emergency
PREGNANCY is often a challenging experience, but for Ellie Davies from Milford Haven, it became even more stressful when she found herself facing a 140-mile round trip away from home during labour.
Ellie was initially admitted to Carmarthen’s Glangwili Hospital with pre-eclampsia, a condition causing dangerously high blood pressure. However, due to a lack of available neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) beds, staff arranged her transfer to Singleton Hospital in Swansea, nearly 30 miles away. Thankfully, accommodation was also provided onsite for her fiancé, Craig Butland.
RENAL FAILURE COMPLICATIONS
Ellie explained: “I had pre-eclampsia and was taken to Glangwili. My blood pressure was going up and down, and they had to ring around hospitals with a NICU to see if they had any spare beds – Singleton was the only one with space.”
On November 12, Ellie was transferred to Swansea, where she remained on the antenatal ward. However, her condition worsened. “On Sunday 17, my kidneys became affected by the pre-eclampsia, and I was going into renal failure,” she said.
In the early hours of Monday, November 18, Ellie underwent an emergency C-section, delivering triplets Mia, Isla, and Elsie two months prematurely.
BRIEF FIRST MEETING
“I only met Isla, the middle triplet, for around two minutes before she was taken to neonatal to be with her sisters,” Ellie shared.
Mia was born weighing 2lb 9oz, Isla at 2lb 10oz, and Elsie at 2lb 8oz. All three girls initially required breathing support and spent nine days in the NICU. Now, over three pounds each, they are receiving care at Glangwili’s special care unit and are reportedly “doing really well.”
SUPPORT FROM NHS STAFF
Reflecting on their experience, Ellie praised the hospital staff: “The midwives Louise and Emily were amazing, answering every question we had and supporting us through everything. Dr Sree Nittur, who was there during the delivery, followed up daily. The neonatal nurses were absolutely fantastic, and we can’t thank them enough for their care and dedication.”
A PLACE TO STAY
For Craig, the availability of accommodation at Cwtsh Clos, a row of five houses on the Singleton Hospital site, was a significant relief. Without it, he would have faced daily commutes between Milford Haven and Swansea.
“Craig spent a week in Cwtsh Clos, and I joined him for the final night,” Ellie said. “It was a huge help having Craig so close. It’s one problem you don’t have to think about, and it gives you a space to gather your thoughts.”
The couple is now supporting Swansea Bay Health Charity’s Cwtsh Clos appeal, which aims to raise £160,000 to refurbish the homes for future families in similar situations.
‘TRIPLETS ARE A RARITY’
Lisa Harris, interim matron for neonatal services, said: “We are delighted to hear the girls are doing well. Cwtsh Clos allows parents to stay close to their babies, which is so important during such critical times.”
NICU consultant Kate Burke added: “Triplets are a rarity for us. We serve families across south central and south west Wales, and often, we’re the unit they turn to when pregnancies are more complicated. It’s wonderful to see families like Ellie and Craig’s returning home with their babies healthy and thriving.”
The family recently celebrated their first Christmas together with Mia, Isla, and Elsie, expressing heartfelt gratitude to all who supported them through their journey.
Support the Cwtsh Clos Appeal: Donations can be made via the Swansea Bay Health Charity website.
(Pic: Swansea Bay University Health Board)
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