Two rescued by coastguard after deadly plane crash off Welsh coast

Two people were rescued by a brave coastguard unit after an aircraft was forced to ditch into the sea off the west Wales coastline on Friday evening.

The lightweight aircraft came down some nine miles north west of Cardigan Island, following a mechanical fault that left the pilot with no option but to make an emergency water landing.

Rescue crews discovered two occupants perched on the wing of the compromised aircraft as it floated in the water.

Despite being extremely cold, the pair remained conscious and responsive when rescuers reached them - treated for shock and spending a single night in hospital before being discharged.

The microlight aircraft had departed from Ireland bound for Aberporth in Ceredigion to refuel, before the plane was due to continue onwards to Italy on Saturday.

When mechanical problems struck, the pilot issued a mayday call to HM Coastguard, before bringing the aircraft down into the sea.

A demanding rescue operation was swiftly mobilised, with New Quay RNLI dispatching its Shannon class all-weather lifeboat.

Meanwhile, Cardigan's Atlantic 85 and Fishguard's Trent class all-weather lifeboat were also deployed to the scene.

A Coastguard rescue helicopter also joined the search effort as various crews converged on the area.

Bernie Davies, New Quay RNLI's coxswain, said: "RNLI Cardigan's Atlantic 85 launched and was first on scene with the Coastguard helicopter.

"The aircraft wreckage was quickly located, floating in the water with both casualties sitting on top, wearing lifejackets."

He explained that the Cardigan crew manoeuvred their vessel alongside, and safely brought both individuals aboard - finding them severely chilled, but alert and able to communicate.

"The crew provided immediate casualty care," Mr Davies added.

"When we arrived shortly afterwards, RNLI Cardigan transferred both casualties to our lifeboat, where they received further treatment, including hot drinks and ongoing casualty care."

He described how the survivors were then transported to New Quay harbour, brought ashore at the main pier, and handed over to the Welsh Ambulance Service for transfer to hospital.

Rees-Tom Jones, New Quay RNLI's navigator, said: "The casualties were in shock and spent one night in hospital before being discharged yesterday (Saturday) and have since taken the ferry back to Ireland from Fishguard."

Mr Jones revealed that one of those rescued lives next door to an Irish rower whom the crew saved during Storm Arwen in November 2021.

Ed Hides, New Quay RNLI's lifeboat operations manager, praised the coordinated multi-agency response, thanking crews from Cardigan and Fishguard RNLI, alongside the Coastguard helicopter for their vital support.