News

Whitesands: Pilot injured after light aircraft crashes into water

Published

8 years ago

September 4, 2018

EMERGENCY SERVICES have responded to a light aircraft which has crashed into the water at Whitesands.

Just before 1:15pm today (Sept 4) HM Coastguard received multiple 999 calls reporting a light aircraft crash landed into shallow water off the Whitsands Bay area of St Davids.

A number of emergency services are on scene, including the St Davids Coastguard Rescue Team, Wales Air Ambulance, Dyfed-Powys Police and the Welsh Ambulance Service.

The plane involved in the crash is a Piper PA-28-180 Challenger. It had taken off from Withbybush Airport approximately 20 minutes before the crash. The plane had originally taken off from Bedfordshire.

The Herald understands that those at the scene were told an engine failure caused the crash landing.

Near the beach: The view from a nearby cliff (pic. ellarichardsonphotography.co.uk)

The pilot was the only occupant of the plane and has been recovered from the wreckage by the Whitesands beach lifeguards.

Pictures and footage on social media have shown members of the public rushing to the crashed plane in an attempt to help the pilot.

Plane crash: Members of the public rushed to help (pic. ellarichardsonphotography.co.uk)

Andy Carroll, Coastguard Controller, said: “The pilot sustained a head injury and is suffering from shock, he has been handed into the care of the ambulance service.”

A spokesperson for the Welsh Ambulance Service said: “We were called at approximately 1.20pm today (Tuesday September 4, 2018) to an incident at Whitesands, St Davids, Pembrokeshire. We responded with one emergency ambulance and an air ambulance.”

Ian Price, owner of the St Davids B&B, told the BBC: “I arrived at the beach after the crash happened and there was a lot of emergency services there – coastguard, police, ambulance.

“I don’t know if it was just one pilot in the plane but someone was being carried out by the lifeboat.

“It’s lucky it wasn’t a week ago when the beach was much busier over school holidays. Today it’s been quite windy so there weren’t as many people around.”

Also talking to the BBC, Sophie Williams, a cafe worker at Whitesands Beach, said: “He is very lucky to be alive. If he had gone a couple of hundred yards further he would have smashed into the cliffs.

“At any other time of this summer the beach would have been packed – it’s lucky the school holidays are over and there were not more people in the water.

“The first people who got to him were two walkers. He told them he had suffered engine failure.”

RNLI lifeguard Luke Evans, 23, was first on the scene, along with colleagues Noah Harvatt, 22, and 18-year-old Mylo Houston-Sime. 20-year-old Senior Lifeguard Matty McLeod took command of communications and alerted the Coastguard.

Luke said: “I looked over and saw that the plane was only five metres from the water so it was obvious what was happening. We were the first responders and ran down to the scene with our trauma bag.

“The plane was sitting in very shallow water, and the wheel had come off, but the shell was intact. The pilot was badly shaken and had some facial and head injuries, but was still conscious and able to communicate.

“We assessed him and then were able to help him up the beach back to the lifeguard unit where we gave him oxygen and waited for the ambulance to arrive.

“The plane made quite a splash when it came down but luckily it was pretty quiet on the beach and in the water, so there were no injuries to anyone else.”

RNLI lifeguard supervisor Sam Trevor added: “The team responded very quickly, all three are experienced lifeguards but you’re never sure what to expect from an incident like this.

“Mylo was actually off-duty but they all did a really professional job – it took a bit of courage to approach that scene, but the RNLI lifeguards at Whitesands were professional as always.”

Entertainment

Open-air theatre brings mystery and musical adventure to Carew Castle

Published

33 minutes ago

July 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SUMMER evenings at Carew Castle will be filled with mystery, music and family entertainment as two much-loved stories are brought to life in the historic castle grounds.

Audiences are being invited to pack a picnic, bring a rug or low-backed chair and enjoy professional touring theatre in one of Pembrokeshire’s most atmospheric settings.

Hot drinks and ice creams will also be available during the performances.

The first of this summer’s open-air productions takes place on Thursday, July 30, when the critically acclaimed Pantaloons Theatre Company presents a new adaptation of Sherlock Holmes and The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Featuring live music, audience interaction and inventive theatrical comedy, the production follows Holmes and Watson as they investigate the deadly secret behind the Baskerville family curse.

Suitable for all ages, although parental guidance is advised, the show promises an evening of suspense, mayhem and laughter.

The entertainment continues on Tuesday, August 4, when Immersion Theatre brings its trademark energy to a musical adaptation of The Jungle Book.

Packed with original songs, audience participation and larger-than-life characters, the production follows Mowgli, Baloo and Bagheera on a fast-paced jungle adventure.

The story features cheeky monkeys, a slithering snake and the fearsome tiger Shere Khan.

Recommended for children aged four and above, the show promises a funny, exciting and entertaining evening for the whole family.

Daisy Hughes, manager of Carew Castle, said: “What works so well about outdoor theatre at Carew Castle is the relaxed, sociable feel of it.

“People can bring a picnic, settle in with family and friends, and enjoy professional touring theatre without the formality of a traditional auditorium.

“This year’s productions offer two very different experiences, from the suspense and humour of Sherlock Holmes and The Hound of the Baskervilles to the colour, music and energy of The Jungle Book.

“They are exactly the kind of performances that work beautifully outdoors, with plenty for families and theatre fans to enjoy.”

Gates will open at 5.30pm for Sherlock Holmes and The Hound of the Baskervilles, with the performance beginning at 6.30pm.

The show will run for approximately two hours, including an interval.

For The Jungle Book, gates will open at 4.45pm and the performance will begin at 5.30pm.

The show has an approximate running time of one hour and 25 minutes, with an interval between acts.

Tickets cost £16 for adults and £12 for children aged between three and 16.

A family ticket, covering two adults and two children or three adults and one child, costs £50.

Booking is essential through the Carew Castle website.

Tickets are non-refundable and performances will go ahead in wet weather. Visitors are advised to wear warm, waterproof clothing and bring a torch.

Caption: Live theatre returns to Carew Castle this summer, bringing stories, songs and suspense to the historic grounds.

Crime

Operation Lion returns to tackle summer antisocial behaviour in Tenby

Published

35 minutes ago

July 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A JOINT policing operation aimed at tackling antisocial behaviour in Tenby and across Pembrokeshire will return during the busy summer holiday period.

Operation Lion brings together Transport for Wales, Dyfed-Powys Police and British Transport Police to provide an increased visible presence in the area as visitor numbers rise.

The annual operation, first launched in 2015, will run throughout the six-week school summer holidays, with dedicated patrols every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

British Transport Police officers will patrol Tenby and the surrounding area, working alongside Dyfed-Powys Police to respond to incidents and reassure residents, businesses and visitors.

Transport for Wales security teams will also patrol train services between Tenby and Pembroke Dock, while additional cover will be provided on the final service to Carmarthen.

The operation aims to reduce antisocial behaviour, public disorder and vandalism, while improving public safety through a visible police and security presence.

Organisers say the initiative has helped reduce summer incidents in previous years and has received positive feedback from businesses and communities in Tenby.

Transport for Wales security manager Simon Turton said: “We’re proud to once again support Operation Lion alongside our colleagues from British Transport Police and Dyfed-Powys Police.

“This initiative is a great example of partnership working in action. Through a proactive, community-focused approach, we have helped reduce antisocial behaviour in Tenby and across Pembrokeshire over the years, and we are committed to building on that success again this summer.

“Our aim is simple: to ensure that residents and visitors can enjoy everything these fantastic areas have to offer in a safe and welcoming environment.”

Community

Letterston Fun Week raises more than £2,500 in memory of Mabli

Published

1 hour ago

July 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

LETTERSTON came together for a packed week of entertainment, sport and community spirit, raising more than £2,500 in memory of local girl Mabli.

Letterston Fun Week featured a treasure hunt, bingo, pool, junior football, men’s and ladies’ darts, a quiz night and children’s disco, before concluding with a hugely successful Fun Day.

Organiser Tim Evans thanked the volunteers, performers, sponsors and residents who helped make the week possible, describing the support received at every event as “incredible”.

The Fun Day began with a chicken wing challenge, won by Shaun McVey of Letterston, before young singers Arthur, Mila, Etta and Nancie from Ysgol Ger y Llan took to the stage alongside Cassidy from Tonna.

They were followed by dancers from the Lowri Jones School of Dance, who performed in front of a packed field.

Live music came from Chrissy D and Steve Bartram, while children were entertained by Crazy Clayton.

As the evening continued, the Fishguard and Goodwick Rugby Club Choir delivered what organisers described as an outstanding performance.

Local band Roccanna then took to the stage, led by Letterston’s own Tristan Mansell, before headline act Forever Elton brought the celebrations to a close with a tribute to the music of Elton John.

Tim said: “This year has been a challenging one to organise, with plenty of obstacles along the way, but seeing the whole week come together so successfully made every bit of hard work worthwhile.

“To every volunteer who helped set up, sold raffle tickets and programmes, marshalled events, cleared away afterwards or simply stepped in wherever needed, I honestly could not be prouder.

“You worked your socks off to give Letterston an event to be proud of, and I cannot thank you enough.”

More than £2,500 has already been raised, with organisers expecting the final total to increase as the remaining proceeds are counted.

Fun Week is held each year in memory of Mabli, whose life continues to be celebrated by the Letterston community.

Paying tribute, Tim added: “Rob, Gwen and all the family, it is a privilege for us to organise this event each year and create a day where Mabli’s life can be celebrated by the whole community.

“We send you all our love and look forward to doing it all again next year.”

Organisers thanked everyone who attended, donated, volunteered, performed, sponsored or supported the events.

Letterston Fun Day will return on Saturday, July 17, 2027.