Two teenage boys praised after helping to save man who fell in sea after banging head

Two teenage boys have been praised after helping to save the life of a man who fell in the sea after banging his head.

The incident took place at approximately 3.30pm yesterday after the man fell from his bike near Holyhead Marina area and had banged his head on the ground before falling into the water.

He was clinging onto a pontoon and struggling to stay afloat.

The two boys, aged 12 and 13, who were nearby on their bikes, witnessed the incident and one of them stayed with the man, while the other ran to the lifeboat station to get help.

Two RNLI volunteers Holly and Mark, were busy tending to the garden of remembrance, which is outside the station, and Holly heard a cry for help from the boy.

He led them straight to the man, who was struggling to hang on.

Grabbing a nearby life ring, the volunteers managed to place it around the man and haul him out of the water.

The two boys were asked to further assist by calling an ambulance, which they did immediately.

While waiting for the ambulance, another RNLI crew member, Jay, who is an ambulance first responder, was contacted, and he attended the scene with a colleague.

The man was treated at the scene for hypothermia and later taken to hospital by ambulance for further checks.

RNLI coxswain Tony Price said the two boys had undoubtedly helped save the man’s life.

He said: “These two boys are a fantastic credit to Holyhead. Young people often get a bad press, but this incident shows how they have listened to the safety messages we give out, used their wits and acted very quickly.

“They knew not to put themselves at risk by trying to pull him out themselves, and instead to go and get help.

“It was an absolutely first-class response from them both, and the crew and myself are so proud of their efforts today.

“We all wish the man a full and speedy recovery from his ordeal today, and thanks also to the first responders, rapid response paramedic and the ambulance crew for their assistance.”