A MAN was lucky to escape with his life after he was swept off the stone jetty near the mouth of Aberystwyth harbour by high tides and large waves last night (26 October).

After reports of a male being swept off the jetty at Tan y Bwlch beach were received by emergency services at around 6.15pm on Monday, Aberystwyth RNLI lifeboat volunteers were asked to assist coastguards locate the man.

Both the station’s Atlantic class lifeboats and the Arancia inshore rescue boat were launched in darkness and difficult conditions, while Aberystwyth Coastguards began a shoreline search of the area and a coastguard rescue helicopter was also requested.

As the search was getting under way the casualty was located near to the rocks where he had managed to climb out of the water by the bridge onto the stone jetty.

After the lifeboat crews administered first aid and local residents brought down blankets for the man, he was taken to hospital by a road ambulance.

Only a few hours later, the volunteers from Aberystwyth were again paged to reports of a person calling for help up the Rheidol River near the police station.

The Arancia lifeboat was quickly launched but with low water in the river, the lifeboat was unable to make it all the way up.

While coastguards searched the river bank in the area reported, the lifeboat searched the lower river and harbour.

Nothing was found and the volunteer crew was stood down and the boat returned to station.

Gemma Gill, Helm at Aberystwyth RNLI lifeboat station said: “The sea can be dangerous and unpredictable and we would advise anyone to respect the water and look at the conditions before going into areas where they might get into trouble.

“The effects of suddenly being in cold water can cause shock and restrict your ability to move and breath.

“We would always recommend people enjoy the power and spectacle of the sea from a safe distance.”