Newquay Rescue Helicopter crew scoop prestigious Billy Deacon Trophy
A Winch Paramedic and Winch Operator from Newquay-based HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter R924 have been awarded the 2024 Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy Newquay Search and Rescue Helicopter Winch crew Jason Bibby and Carlton Real have been presented with the prestigious Billy Deacon SAR award for their outstanding rescue work. The awards were presented by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence at the Air League’s Annual Reception Ceremony at the House of Commons London on the 19 November 2024. On the evening of 22 May 2023, R924 was tasked to reports of two casualties cut off by tide and swept into a cave at Bassetts Cove near Portreath in North Cornwall. Arriving on scene in just six minutes, the team were met by a challenging situation. Coastguard Rescue Officers had thrown a lifejacket and line into the surf, but powerful swells made access to the cave impossible. Despite attempting to pull themselves free from the white-water with the line, the casualty lost his grip and was lef...