A FISHERMAN had to be airlifted to hospital from Sully last week in a dramatic rescue bid after he suffered a heart attack.

The 56-year-old, named locally as John White from Barry, was on Bendricks Rock on Thursday, April 11, when he felt pains in his chest and left arm.

Stranded, he was eventually contacted by his concerned wife who phoned the emergency services.

Both Barry coastguard and Barry RNLI assisted with the incident, which occurred around 5.30pm, until a helicopter from Chivenor arrived.

Barry coastguard rescue officer Dave Ball said there was initial concern that Mr White may have been in the water, as Bendrick Rock is an island at high tide and is sometimes completely covered.

He said: “Two of the coastguard team went directly to Bendricks Rock as an advance party to ascertain the position of the casualty.

“The coastguard mobile unit was directed into the port for access, and the security were alerted to open the closest access gate.

“One of the lifeboat crew is a paramedic, and advised against moving the casualty by stretcher.

“Instead rescue helicopter 169 from Chivenor was scrambled and made it’s way to the position given by Barry coastguard, who let off a smoke flare which allowed the pilot to assess the wind conditions.

“The casualty was lifted into the helicopter by winch, using a double strop method rather than in a stretcher.”

Penarth coastguard were alerted to prepare the landing site at Blackweir Ambulance Station, in Cardiff, and they provided communications between the ambulance service and rescue helicopter.

Mr White is understood to have have been kept in UHW overnight, and allowed home the next day.

Anyone interested in joining the coastguard can contact station officer Mr Gallone on 07974 108235.