Teamwork on the edge - Bristow crew scoops prestigious award for lifesaving rescue

Photo caption: James Stewart, Richard Taylor and Steven Thomas at the award ceremony. Dave Kenyon was unable to attend due to operational commitments.

EA Regional Communications and Marketing Manager

A Bristow SAR crew has received a prestigious award for a dramatic cliff-edge rescue which saved the lives of two climbers and tested the team to their limits.

The Prince Philip Award for helicopter rescue is presented by the Honourable Company of Air Pilots every year for acts of outstanding courage or devotion to duty in the course of SAR operations.
 

And the 2024 winners are Dave Kenyon, James Stewart, Richard Taylor and Steven Thomas of Rescue 936, Caernarfon SAR base, Wales.

On 7 May 2023, just before 11pm, the crew was tasked to assist a local Mountain rescue Team responding to reports of two climbers trapped in treacherous weather on the slopes of Tryfan, a mountain in the Snowdonia National Park.

The climbers were ‘cragfast’, stuck on a small, heavily sloping ledge, surrounded by vertical cliffs. Turbulent winds were gusting and clouds were coming and going, rapidly shrouding the pair from sight.

The difficult conditions meant the first attempt by the team to hover close to the climbers had to be abandoned as clouds closed in. 

With the weather getting worse and the situation of the two climbers becoming increasingly precarious, the crew tried to reach them one more time, just as the clouds cleared.

“It was a very challenging situation,” said Deputy Chief Pilot, Richard ‘Smoo’ Smith, who nominated the crew for the award. 

“Getting the aircraft into the right position was extremely challenging due to the cloud, the heavy turbulence, and the terrain requiring the rotor tips to be very close to the sheer cliff face alongside the aircraft.

“Working hard on the controls the crew managed to hold a workable position above the casualties. Despite the demanding circumstances the Winch-Paramedic, without hesitation, agreed to conduct the rescue, where 130 ft of cable was used to get the Winch-Paramedic to height and the aircraft was then maneuvered yet closer to the cliffs to get him onto the grassy ledge.

“The crew displayed superb teamwork during this rescue,” added Smoo.

"During recovery of the climbers the Winch-Operator, Richard Taylor, was precise and rapid with his communications, the handling pilot, Dave Kenyon, was working hard to control the aircraft, and the non-handling pilot, James Stewart, was monitoring the engine instruments and providing a commentary on the cloud blowing through. Meanwhile the Winch-Paramedic, Steven Thomas, worked swiftly and carefully on a small ledge with hundreds of feet below him.  

“It was a prime example of an experienced crew working to the very edge of their, and the aircraft’s, capabilities.”

Congratulations to the whole crew - worthy recipients of this year's Prince Philip Award for Helicopter Rescue.