Dramatic surfer rescue praised

The teenage surfer was spotted in the sea off Abersoch

An instructor who went to the aid of a teenage surfer under the sea off north Wales giving him the kiss of life has been praised by coastguards.

The 17-year-old from Manchester is in a critical condition in hospital after Monday's dramatic rescue off Abersoch.

Water sports instructor John Robinson dived underwater and pulled the teenager to the surface.

He then gave the surfer the kiss of life before he was taken by rescue helicopter to hospital in Bangor.

A spokesman for Ysbyty Gwynedd said the teenager was is in a critical but stable condition on Tuesday.

Holyhead coastguards described Mr Robinson's efforts in helping the surfer as "selfless" and said he deserved the highest praise.

They said the teenager was "extremely lucky" the helicopter was so near, as it was returning to base from another mission when it was diverted to the scene.

It is essential that people are aware of the potential dangers and take suitable precautions Coastguard Jim Paton

The surfer was also said to be fortunate that the sea off Abersoch was so clear that his body could be seen outlined 12 feet under water.

He had spent up to 15 minutes in the water.

Mr Robinson had rushed to help after hearing the surfer was missing off Hell's Mouth, first making sure the students he was teaching were safely ashore.

"Abersoch, like many areas of North Wales has seen a huge influx of holidaymakers who come to enjoy the magnificent sea and coastal facilities over the past few months," said coastguard district operations manager Jim Paton.

"In spite of the fair weather over the past few weeks, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of incidents and it is essential that people are aware of the potential dangers and take suitable precautions."

The injured surfer had not been wearing a life jacket and Mr Paton repeated a plea for anyone going on the water to wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid.

The helicopter crew gave artificial respiration to the teenager all the way to hospital.

"This is an extremely lucky young man," said Hugh Donnelly, the coastguard watch manager at Holyhead.

"The helicopter was very close to the scene and was able to recover him quickly.

"The casualty was not wearing a lifejacket," he added.