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Query over river rescue decision River rescue decision is defended
(20 minutes later)
An MP has questioned a fire service's rescue protocols after a paramedic rescued a man in trouble in a river. A fire service has defended a decision for its crew not to enter a river to reach a man in trouble, before a special boat rescue team had arrived.
Ambulance paramedic Mark Timmins went into the River Dee near Llangollen to pull a semi-conscious father to safety.Ambulance paramedic Mark Timmins went into the River Dee near Llangollen to pull a semi-conscious father to safety.
Clwyd South MP Martyn Jones said the procedures needed to be looked at.Clwyd South MP Martyn Jones said the procedures needed to be looked at.
North Wales Fire and Rescue backed the commander's decision to wait for a special unit, a few minutes away, saying the rescue owed more "to luck than judgement". But North Wales Fire and Rescue backed the decision to wait for the team, a few minutes away, saying the rescue owed more "to luck than judgement".
The father, who has not been named, had gone into the river at Llangollen midday on Saturday after his son, aged seven or eight, fell in.The father, who has not been named, had gone into the river at Llangollen midday on Saturday after his son, aged seven or eight, fell in.
We have procedures for a reason and that reason is to ensure we don't compound what is already a serious situation by turning it into a traged Paul Claydon, assistant chief fire officerWe have procedures for a reason and that reason is to ensure we don't compound what is already a serious situation by turning it into a traged Paul Claydon, assistant chief fire officer
The boy was rescued but the father was left clinging to a rock in a semi-conscious state.The boy was rescued but the father was left clinging to a rock in a semi-conscious state.
Mr Timmins said: "I asked the fire service how we were going to get him out and they said they'd have to wait for the boat rescue service. But unfortunately I knew where that was coming from and that would have been 20 minutes."Mr Timmins said: "I asked the fire service how we were going to get him out and they said they'd have to wait for the boat rescue service. But unfortunately I knew where that was coming from and that would have been 20 minutes."
He took a "calculated risk" before going into the river, and got the fire service to tie a rope around his waist to ensure his own safety.He took a "calculated risk" before going into the river, and got the fire service to tie a rope around his waist to ensure his own safety.
The River Dee on Saturday, near to where the rescue took placeThe River Dee on Saturday, near to where the rescue took place
He added a police officer also volunteered to go into the water.He added a police officer also volunteered to go into the water.
Clwyd South MP Martyn Jones told BBC Wales he believed Mr Timmins had made the right decision in the circumstances.Clwyd South MP Martyn Jones told BBC Wales he believed Mr Timmins had made the right decision in the circumstances.
"If procedures on behalf of the fire service were standing in the way of making a common sense assessment of risk, then perhaps the procedures should be looked at," he said."If procedures on behalf of the fire service were standing in the way of making a common sense assessment of risk, then perhaps the procedures should be looked at," he said.
"Procedures in these circumstances are designed not to cause another tragedy, not to send somebody in who might also get into trouble."Procedures in these circumstances are designed not to cause another tragedy, not to send somebody in who might also get into trouble.
"As Mr Timmins had help, he had a rope around him so he wasn't going to be in great danger, the fact is I think we should be looking at the procedures of the fire service.""As Mr Timmins had help, he had a rope around him so he wasn't going to be in great danger, the fact is I think we should be looking at the procedures of the fire service."
"I think possibly the fire and rescue service were hidebound by procedure."I think possibly the fire and rescue service were hidebound by procedure.
"I don't know how many times they are called to get people out of water but it may be that their procedures were erring on the side of caution whereas Mr Timmins bravely erred on the side of the safety of the person who needed to be rescued, but took sensible precautions for his own safety.""I don't know how many times they are called to get people out of water but it may be that their procedures were erring on the side of caution whereas Mr Timmins bravely erred on the side of the safety of the person who needed to be rescued, but took sensible precautions for his own safety."
'Tremendously pressurised'
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it had "very clear procedures" for dealing with the wide range of incidents and the Llangollen crews were "experienced and well rehearsed" in responding to this type of incident at the river.North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it had "very clear procedures" for dealing with the wide range of incidents and the Llangollen crews were "experienced and well rehearsed" in responding to this type of incident at the river.
A spokeswoman said it was the first emergency service to arrive at the riverbank on Saturday at 12.42 BST and they immediately assisted with the treatment of the child who was already out of the water while at the same time assessing the situation and making the scene safe.A spokeswoman said it was the first emergency service to arrive at the riverbank on Saturday at 12.42 BST and they immediately assisted with the treatment of the child who was already out of the water while at the same time assessing the situation and making the scene safe.
The crew attempted to deploy throw lines to the father but were obstructed by overhanging trees.The crew attempted to deploy throw lines to the father but were obstructed by overhanging trees.
"Due to the casualty location, the established communication and the unknown depth of the water the fire and rescue service commander decided there was sufficient time to wait for the appropriate resources to arrive before committing to the rescue," said the spokeswoman."Due to the casualty location, the established communication and the unknown depth of the water the fire and rescue service commander decided there was sufficient time to wait for the appropriate resources to arrive before committing to the rescue," said the spokeswoman.
Paul Claydon, assistant chief fire officer said he fully endorsed the actions of the commander at the scene.Paul Claydon, assistant chief fire officer said he fully endorsed the actions of the commander at the scene.
"He did everything I would have expected from a professional fire fighter in what must have been a tremendously pressurised situation."He did everything I would have expected from a professional fire fighter in what must have been a tremendously pressurised situation.
"Experience tells us that although on this occasion the man ended up on the riverbank it would appear to be more by luck than judgment.""Experience tells us that although on this occasion the man ended up on the riverbank it would appear to be more by luck than judgment."
Mr Claydon said they had explained to the paramedic that due to the hazards involved in entering the water the fire and rescue service would not commit crew members until the arrival of the specialist water incident unit, which at the time was no more than six or seven minutes away from the scene.Mr Claydon said they had explained to the paramedic that due to the hazards involved in entering the water the fire and rescue service would not commit crew members until the arrival of the specialist water incident unit, which at the time was no more than six or seven minutes away from the scene.
He added: "No one can replicate the exact circumstances that individuals may find themselves when making these decisions.He added: "No one can replicate the exact circumstances that individuals may find themselves when making these decisions.
"The paramedic obviously saw it differently to our commander and of course it is great news that the individual ended up safely on the riverbank but all I can say is that we have procedures for a reason and that reason is to ensure we don't compound what is already a serious situation by turning it into a tragedy"."The paramedic obviously saw it differently to our commander and of course it is great news that the individual ended up safely on the riverbank but all I can say is that we have procedures for a reason and that reason is to ensure we don't compound what is already a serious situation by turning it into a tragedy".