The man was fishing off the harbour wall in Porthcawl, South Wales, yesterday, Sunday, when he was washed off by huge waves. A lifeboat raced to rescue him after the alarm was raised by passers-by.
Coastguards launched a full-scale air search after reports of a second missing person. But a spokesman said the search was called off after reports of the second man were thought to have been inaccurate.
“Two fishing rods have been recovered and a number of other fishing items, but it’s not unusual for people to fish with two rods,” he said.
The waves which swept the fisherman into the sea were so severe they caused part of the stone harbour wall to collapse.
“There were south westerly gales and extreme conditions. The sea was rough with a heavy swell,” the coastguard spokesman said. “Lots of people go fishing in the winter. He may have thought the area was sheltered. We would urge anybody not to put themselves in any danger.”
The rescued angler was taken to the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend. Today police said the man, who is believed to have been from the Swansea area, was in a critical condition.
“South Wales Police officers are now trying to confirm the identity of the man and contact his relatives.”
She added that the area around the pier had been cordoned off as weather conditions in the area continued to worsen and police were warning people to stay away from the coast.
