A FISHERMAN left struggling to breathe after suffering a chest injury was flown to hospital. 

Volunteers from RNLI Moelfre were sent on Monday, August 14 to help the man who had fallen aboard a charter boat some eight miles North East of Moelfre.

The fisherman was said to be in "excruciating pain" and was "struggling to breathe".

A spokesperson from RNLI Moelfre said: "The crew were underway within 15 minutes, and prepared the lifeboat for casualty care, and stretcher recovery. The skipper of the vessel was asked to make best speed towards the lifeboat station, during which time the person had become unresponsive with laboured breathing.

"Just 10 minutes after launching, the lifeboat was skilfully manoeuvred along side the vessel in uncomfortable conditions and transferred two crew members aboard to carry out a first aid assessment.

"Due to the persons deteriorating condition, Holyhead CG then tasked Rescue Helicopter 936 from Caernarfon, however once on scene and due to the close proximity too the lifeboat station the Helicopter requested that rather carry out a tricky winching procedure, the safest option was for the casualty to be landed back at the lifeboat station where they could be quickly assessed by the paramedics and winchman on scene."

The spokesperson added: "The ALB crew administered oxygen and made the casualty comfortable and stable ready for transfer to the all weather lifeboat prior to recovery. Once the casualty and crew were back onboard, the lifeboat quickly recovered back to the station, with the help of our shore crew and the casualty handed over to the awaiting helicopter and ambulance crew paramedics.

"Our local coastguard team from Moelfre were also on scene to assist in crowd control and stretcher carrying once back at station."

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Martin Jones, Duty 2nd Coxswain, said: "The charter vessel skipper did the right thing in calling for assistance at the earliest opportunity. The helicopter pilots call to transfer the man by lifeboat to the station, was the best and safest option for all and would not risk aggravating the man’s condition further.

"Our crew did a fantastic job in stabilising the casualty and making them as comfortable as possible until handover.

"This was another great example of team work with multi agency operations, my thanks go out to the crew and all other agencies involved. All from the station wish the person involved a speedy recovery."