News
Microlight pilot escapes from River Cleddau crash [UPDATED]
A MICROLIGHT aircraft crashed into the River Cleddau yesterday evening (Mar 9), however there were no serious injuries as the pilot luckily escaped the aircraft and reached the shore.
Angle RNLI said on their Facebook page: “The ALB launched at 17:54 to reports of a Microlight aircraft that had crashed into the water, off Rudders Boatyard, Burton.
“Also responding to this incident was a local Range Safety vessel, Dyfed-Powys Police, Ambulance, Coastguard Rescue Officers and two leisure craft.
“Whilst arriving on scene, we were informed that the single occupant had swum to the shore adjacent to Burton and transferred to Rudders Boatyard by a local RIB.
“The Y Boat was launched and two crew went ashore to gather more information whilst the paramedics were assessing the casualty. As no assistance was needed ashore, the Y Boat searched the shoreline whilst the ALB searched the main channel for any debris.
“With no sightings, the Y Boat was recovered and the ALB returned to station at 19:20.”
A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Police were called at approximately 5.50pm on Thursday 9th March 2007 to a report of a microlight having entered the River Cleddau in the Burton area of Milford Haven.
“The man had already left the water on police arrival. The AAIB has been informed.”
Alastair Pollard of Rudders Boatyard was involved in the rescue of the pilot.
He told The Herald: “At 5:42pm, Keith Allen who lives by the river at Jenkins Point and has one of the moorings that we maintain for him, called to ask if I had just seen the microlight crash into the Haven, just below the overhead power lines.
“I said that I had not as I was just finishing off some repairs in our boatshed. He explained what had just happened and I said I would immediately launch our inflatable boat and see if I could help the pilot.
“As I made for our boat another customer of ours, Jamie Boha who has a yacht wintered ashore here was standing on the hammerhead, already in contact with the coastguard via his mobile. He said he saw the microlight hit the water and flip over at least once as it went in.
“Miraculously the pilot still looked to be afloat although by now there was no sign of the microlight. While launching our rescue boat from the pontoon I relayed my mobile number to the coastguard so we could keep in touch. Fortunately, I reached the pilot just as he was already pulling himself out the water on the other side of the Milford Haven waterway just opposite our boatyard and moorings.
“Although clearly shaken from the impact, the pilot had the wherewithal to be able to pull one of his gloves off after he went down in order to release his buckle and swim free. The microlight had then started to sink so the pilot had sensibly ditched his aircraft & helmet and made a swim for the shore, albeit in a heavy flying suit with lots of warm but heavy clothing underneath.
“Fortunately the pilot was clearly a competent swimmer and although he had probably been in the water and swimming for the shore in these cold tidal winter waters for about 15 minutes, he had made it.
“He was just clambering ashore as I reached him, slightly hypothermic & soaked to the skin, but still in good humour and pleased to be alive. It seems the setting sun had blinded him and he had desperately wanted to avoid the power lines. Fortuitously we have just had nice new ‘monsoon showers’ installed at Rudders so I was able to get him aboard and race him back to our boatyard to get him warmed back up.
“In the meantime, I have to say all credit has to go to our Coastguard, Police, RNLI & Port Authority services who really seem to be able to respond well in such a situation. I was fortunate enough to have been alerted by various friends and customers and be right on the spot when all this happened but just as I was bringing the pilot back to warm him up at our place, the coastguard / range vessel arrived, closely followed by a leisure boat that had also presumably responded to a CH16 emergency, the Police Boat and the Port Authority boat – all within literally minutes of one another.
“It was truly reassuring to know what everyone is capable of around here when we truly need them!”
“As the pilot was warming himself back up under the shower, the coastguard, medic, police, coastguard services, ambulance and relatives all also arrived at Rudders by road.
“Once checked out, warm, dry and wearing some of my clothes I had lent him, the pilot was then taken into the ambulance and then off for further checks at the hospital.”
Crime
Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case
A CEREDIGION man has been convicted to three years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own bed after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.
27-year-old Suroj Bk, from Llangrannog, was sentenced this week following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court (May 1).
On 7 October 2023, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that Bk entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her while she lay in her bed.
When the victim realised what was happening, she kicked Bk out of her bed and called the police.
Upon receiving the report, officers quickly attended the victim’s home and conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area using police dogs and scenes of crime officers.
Evidence gathered from scene, together with extensive local enquiries, led officers to arrest Suroj Bk the next day (8 October).
While Bk was in custody, detectives, crime scene investigators, and digital forensic officers worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence that ultimately placed Suroj Bk at the scene.
After hearing the evidence, the jury took less than two hours to agree a unanimous guilty verdict.
The detective in charge of the case has praised the victim for her ‘tremendous courage’ in reporting the assault to police.
“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of suspect was done quickly and efficiently,” said Detective Inspector Sam Gregory.
“The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution.
“I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously.
“We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”
On Wednesday, 1 May 2024, Saroj Bk was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a five-year restraining order, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.
If you have been a victim of a crime such as this, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
In an emergency, always call 999.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.
News
Body recovered confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, say police
DYFED-POWYS police have said today that the body found on Wednesday, May 1, has been confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, who was reported missing from the Pembroke Dock area on April 14.
A spokesperson for the force said: “We will continue to support the family and will assist with issuing a tribute publicly if the family wish to do so.”
In a statement, his family said: “Luke was a joyful and funny young man and always wanted to help others. He was a loving son, brother, grandson and uncle, and will be forever missed.
“We have lost a huge part of our family, and our loss is shared by his many friends who also loved him dearly.
“We would like to thank the local community for the overwhelming support we have received.”
Business
Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’
THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.
“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”
Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”
“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”
Find out more about careers at the Port of Milford Haven here: www.mhpa.co.uk/about/careers-at-the-port/.
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