Royal Watch News

Teenager thanks Prince William for saving her life

Aug 30, 2012, 12:01 GMT

Prince William

A teenager has thanked Prince William for saving her life.

Sharon West was winched to safety by an RAF Search and Rescue crew - which included the royal - after she was swept away by a riptide while bodyboarding with her sister Tamara, who managed to swim to safety.

The incident happened at Silver Bay in Anglesey, North Wales and she praised the crew for their work.

The 16-year-old told HELLO! magazine: 'The sea was really choppy, the string snapped on my bodyboard so I had nothing to keep me afloat; I screamed to Tamara to keep hold of hers.

'If it wasn't for the fast response of two surfers who alerted the RAF, and also the quick response from the crew of the Sea King helicopter, including Prince William, I wouldn't be here today.'

'I remember saying to the winch men that I thought my life was over. I would like to say a big thank you to all of them.'

The Prince - who is known as Flight Lieutenant Wales - piloted the helicopter while his colleague winched the teenager to safety as she struggled to stay afloat.

The RAF revealed it was one of their 'fastest and shortest' missions ever, with the crew taking only 38 seconds to reach the scene.