Prince William-piloted helicopter winches two girls stranded at sea to safety

Two girls were recovering yesterday after being rescued from the sea by a helicopter piloted by Prince William

Two girls were recovering yesterday after being rescued from the sea by a helicopter piloted by Prince William. A rip current dragged the girls out off the coast of Anglesey in Wales while they were body boarding.

Prince William’s Sea King, Rescue 137, was landing when it received the emergency call. He took off again and was hovering the aircraft over the girls within 38 seconds, the RAF said.

The girls, aged 13 and 16, had been on a beach in Rhosneigr. The youngest was understood to be body boarding when her sister swam out to help her. She did not have a body board and was exhausted as the helicopter lowered the winch.

Winchman Harry Harrison told the BBC: “When I got to her, the elder girl was clearly exhausted and was going under the water for what was the very last time.” The girls were taken to Gwynedd hospital in Bangor, northwest Wales, for treatment.