News

Police dog Rey’s ‘swift work’ saved elderly couple

Published

4 years ago

July 23, 2020

AN elderly couple was reported missing late at night on Thursday, Jul 16, which police described as ‘a race against time to find them’.

Dyfed-Powys Police received a call reporting the pair missing at just after 11pm on Thursday, July 16. Both suffer with dementia and had not been seen for nearly two hours.

With midnight approaching, and the husband and wife missing for over two hours, police feared there could have been a tragic outcome if the couple – in their 80’s – were not found quickly.

Immediate searches began in the Haverfordwest area, with every available police unit dispatched to help.

Thanks to the swift work of a police dog and the use of the Pembrokeshire Rural Crime team’s 4×4, fields inaccessible to response vehicles could be quickly searched.

The couple was found with minor injuries, having fallen in a ditch.

Inspector Reuben Palin said: “This was a superb effort by all involved to find this elderly and vulnerable couple.

“The couple had not been seen for two hours, and we were searching in almost darkness from the start, making conditions difficult.

“The swift work of PD Rey allowed us to take the right direction in our search, and the capability of the rural team’s off-road vehicle was crucial in covering rural ground quickly. Without this asset, the outcome could have been very grave indeed.”

Insp Palin said: “Our response to this report was immediate and large-scale. Given the ages of the couple, and the fact it was already getting dark, it was urgent that they were found swiftly.

“Police dog Rey quickly found a piece of bedding, and was able to track the scent into a field, giving us an indication which direction they had taken. However, he was unable to lead his handler further as there was livestock on a farm nearby and he lost the scent he was tracking.

“This is where the capabilities of the 4×4 came in.”

Dyfed-Powys Police’s rural crime teams have a number of off-road vehicles, allowing officers to reach areas regular response cars cannot access.

Thanks to his training as part of the Pembrokeshire Rural Crime Team, Sergeant Gerwyn Davies was able to use one of the 4x4s to search the surrounding fields.

He spotted the couple in a ditch at 12.30am, where the woman had fallen and hurt her back.

Emergency first aid was carried out by officers until an ambulance arrived. The pair were taken to hospital and are expected to make full recoveries.

Charity

New Quay RNLI’s inshore lifeboat rescues stranded 26ft yacht

Published

7 mins ago

April 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

NEW QUAY RNLI’s inshore lifeboat was launched on service at 08:32 this morning to assist a 26ft yacht in difficulty a quarter of a mile from New Quay harbour.

Launching with four volunteer crew members, the D-class lifeboat, the Will Morgan, quickly located the vessel, with one person on board.

Simon Rigby, New Quay RNLI’s helm said, “The yacht had lost all means of propulsion, both sail and engine, and was unable to recover a fouled anchor.

“Having assessed the situation we decided that the best course of action was to take the vessel under tow to New Quay harbour. We placed two members of our crew on board, disconnected the anchor chain and began the tow.

“Having safely berthed the yacht alongside the harbour wall, we returned to station just after 09:30.”

Entertainment

Classic car extravaganza returns to Carew Castle this Bank Holiday

Published

13 mins ago

April 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ONE of the highlights of the Pembrokeshire calendar is set to return this Bank Holiday, as Carew Castle prepares to host some of the finest classic and vintage cars, motorbikes, and military vehicles from across South Wales.

The Carew Castle Car Show will take place on Monday 6 May, with plenty of entertainment for all the family, including music throughout the day by local folk band ‘Razor Bill’, and a variety of vintage funfair rides and games from Pembrokeshire Attractions.

For an extra cost of £2, younger visitors will also be able to take part in a Brilliant Birds Trail around the Castle

Manager of Carew Castle, Daisy Hughes, said: “We’re delighted to host the ever-popular Car Show at Carew for another year. It’s a wonderful opportunity for enthusiasts and families alike to admire the beauty of classic and vintage vehicles in an equally impressive vintage setting.

“There is no need to book tickets in advance – just turn up on the day to make the most of this fantastic event.”

Nest Tearoom will be open from 10am onwards to serve bacon rolls and hot drinks, with the usual mouth-watering selection of homemade lunches and cakes available throughout the rest of the day. Visitors are welcome to explore the majestic Castle and Tidal Mill during their visit, to find out more about the events and colourful characters that shaped this site’s fascinating history.

While the car show itself is currently at capacity and no longer accepting new entries, anyone interested in securing a spot for their vehicle on the reserve list are encouraged to register their interest by following the link at www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/carew-castle/events-at-carew-castle/spring-events.

Carew Castle Car Show will take place from 10am-3pm with the Castle open from 10am-4.30pm. Normal admission charges apply: Adults £8, Concessions £7, Children £6 and a Family Ticket (two adults and two children) £25.

Please note the event may not take place in the event of bad weather. For more information visit www.carewcastle.com or follow Carew Castle’s Facebook page (Carew Castle and Tidal Mill) for event updates.

To learn about other events that are taking place in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park this Bank Holiday and throughout the rest of the year, go to www.pembrokeshirecoast.com/events.

Crime

Plea hearing for man accused of assault and strangulation

Published

21 mins ago

April 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A HAVERFORDWEST man is appearing at Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, April 26) charged with assaulting and strangling a woman

Oliver Torkington, 38, of Pembroke Road, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court charged with two offences last month, and is in Swansea Crown Court today to make his plea, after the local court declined jurisdiction.

Torkington is alleged to have assaulted a woman in St Clears on March 23 and caused her actual bodily harm.

He is also accused of strangling her.

The case came before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on March 25 and Torkington has been remanded in custody since then.

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