Bristow’s Newquay Search and Rescue Team Wins Prestigious Award for Perilous Cave Rescue

Photo: Winch Operator Jason Bibby and Winch Paramedic, Carlton Real (centre with their award), together with Captain Jörg Brunner (far left) and Captain Debdash Bhattacharya (far right), who were piloting the aircraft during the winching operation. – Photo credit: Bristow Group

Heroes Honoured at the House of Commons

Bristow’s Newquay-based Search and Rescue team has added another accolade to their list of achievements, with Winch Paramedic Carlton Real and Winch Operator Jason Bibby receiving the 2024 Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy. The pair were recognised for their exceptional bravery and skill during a dangerous rescue in 2023.

The award was presented by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence at the Air League’s Annual Reception Ceremony at the House of Commons on 19th November 2024. Carlton and Jason were joined by Captain Jörg Brunner and Captain Debdash Bhattacharya, who piloted the SAR helicopter Rescue 924 during the rescue.

Vice Admiral Laurence commended the crew’s “superb skill and teamwork in the most difficult of circumstances, when precision and communication were key.”

A Life-and-Death Mission in Treacherous Conditions

The award honours the crew’s response to an urgent call on the evening of 22nd May 2023, when a man and woman were trapped in a cave by the tide and rough seas.

Arriving just six minutes after take-off, the crew faced an immensely challenging situation. The victims were out of sight, with the local Cliff Rescue Team (CRT) only able to hear their cries from within the cave.

The CRT floated a line into the cave, and the man appeared, gripping the rope as waves pummelled the area. However, the violent surf pulled him free, leaving him at the mercy of the sea.

Carlton was lowered towards the man, but strong waves, cliffs, and poor visibility made the rescue extremely dangerous. Despite this, the team’s coordination enabled Carlton to reach the man, though relentless waves eventually broke his grip. Fortunately, the CRT managed to pull the man to safety on nearby rocks.

Pushing Through Exhaustion to Save Lives

After being winched back to the helicopter, Carlton, exhausted and in need of oxygen, volunteered to go back down to retrieve the man for immediate hospital transfer. Ignoring his own condition, Carlton performed a flawless winch operation, ensuring the casualty was flown to safety.

The helicopter crew, replaced by another team at the scene, learned hours later that the second casualty had survived after being rescued as the tide receded.

Bristow UK SAR Director Graham Hamilton praised the team, saying, “The crew’s actions that day are testament to their professionalism, determination, and teamwork. Without their commitment to saving and protecting lives, the outcome could have been very different.”

Recognising Exceptional Courage

The Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy, sponsored by Bristow Helicopters, honours outstanding bravery in search and rescue operations. It was named in memory of Billy Deacon, who lost his life during a heroic rescue in 1997.

For more information on Bristow Group and their global operations, visit www.bristowgroup.com.

This latest award cements the reputation of Newquay’s Search and Rescue team as one of the finest, with their professionalism and courage continuing to inspire.