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  • 15/07/2025
Beach Lifeguard Anya Walton recalls the day of Joanna Hicks’ rescue at Newgale, Pembrokeshire.
Joanna Hicks, who almost drowned after being caught in a rip current whilst swimming off Newgale, returned to the beach two years on, to be reunited with her lifesaver RNLI lifeguard Matty McLeod, and members of the air ambulance crew who helped save her life.
Video: RNLI/Richard Adams

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Transcript
00:00My name is Anya Walton and I'm a beach lifeguard here in North Pembrokeshire and I've been a lifeguard for the last seven years.
00:05So the day of Joanna's rescue I was actually just at home and I got a phone call from my mum who'd brought my brother over to assist with the rescue.
00:12So I headed straight over just to come and see if there was anything that I could do to assist on the day.
00:19Once I arrived at the scene, Joanna was being worked done on the beach by the air ambulance and by the other paramedics
00:25and I essentially was just in the unit helping with communications and then looked after Joanna's friends, Philippa and Bob
00:32and also the French family who'd attempted to rescue her themselves as well.
00:38It's amazing to see Joanna today because to be honest last time I saw her I didn't really think that there would be an opportunity to see her again.
00:46It's just amazing to see her doing so well and back at the beach and the fact that she's able to enjoy swimming again is just incredible.
00:53It really means a lot to me and I know it means a lot to the team as well who are here on the day.
00:59Yeah, it's just amazing and when I heard the news that initially she's in a coma, it really wasn't looking good
01:07and fortunately I was in really close contact with Philippa and Bob who was getting regular updates
01:12and when I got the update that she was sitting up and speaking I just absolutely couldn't believe it.
01:17And yeah, it's incredible to have her back today and seeing her enjoy the beach.
01:23Every year as lifeguards we go through really thorough training as part of our lifeguard induction at the beginning of the season.
01:28So we do, you know, water-based competencies, we do all of our swimming, all of our rescue practice
01:33and also then really thorough first aid as well.
01:35So we're ready for any situation that the beach can throw at us like Joanna's.
01:38Thank you so much.

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