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Dads praise for brave rescuers

_{News Item from 1996}

A Port Talbot dad today praised the efforts of coastguards who battled to free his 19-stone son after he became trapped on rocks at Aberavon beach.
The rescue began when Craig aged 17, slipped on the rocks, falling and breaking his leg. The coastguard, fire officers, police and an ambulance crew were called to the scene, but their efforts were hampered by the incoming tide, the size of the teenager and the difficulty of his location. It took almost two hours to free him. Yesterday, the coastguard team involved were awarded a commendation for their efforts in last year's incident.
Craig's dad, Roy of Sandfields. said the team deserved the top honour. "They did a marvellous job. He's not a small lad, he weighs 19 stone and is 6ft 4ins tall." he said. "Craig had gone onto the rocks to fetch someone's fishing rod when he slipped and fell." Craig is still recovering from his injuries.
"Not only did he break his leg but he also had to have an operation to put his knee joint back into its socket, which has left a 20 inch scar," he said. "He was confined to a wheelchair until the beginning of December and still has to go for physiotherapy two or three times a week."

Gardian

THEIR part in rescuing an Injured angler trapped between rocks at Aberavon sea front has earned the Port Talbot Coastguard rescue team a top award. Seven team members who were called to a spot near the North Pier one evening last June found teenager Craig trapped in a hole in the rocks almost 20 feet deep, and with the tide rising.
He had fallen as he tried to retrieve a rod he had dropped while fishing off the pier, and his leg was trapped in the rocks. Because of the confined space, Craig's size - he weighed 19 stone - and a broken leg he had sustained in the fall, the rescue was a difficult one.
A Coastguard spokesman said the hole into which he had fallen was so small that only two people could work on the rescue at a time. The team members were under some pressure as the tide had turned and Craig had to be rescued quickly.

Stretcher Anxious not to cause Craig any further pain, they were able to get him onto a stretcher, haul him out and take him to hospital. In recognition of their achievements, the Chief Coastguard has present- presented rescue team members Robert Harris,Graham Locke, Roger Itzstein, Leon Murphy, Dean Jones. Andrew Rossi and Nicola Pearson with a "commendation for a meritorious rescue.