Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Security
  • /
  • Bristow crew receive Prince Philip Award for lifesaving rescue

Security Events

Bristow crew receive Prince Philip Award for lifesaving rescue

A Bristow SAR crew has received a prestigious award for a dramatic cliff-edge rescue which saved the lives of two climbers and tested the team to their limits.

Above: James Stewart, Richard Taylor and Steven Thomas at the award ceremony. Dave Kenyon was unable to attend due to operational commitments.
Courtesy Bristow

The Prince Philip Award for helicopter rescue is presented by the Honourable Company of Air Pilots every year for acts of outstanding courage or devotion to duty in the course of SAR operations and the 2024 winners are Dave Kenyon, James Stewart, Richard Taylor and Steven Thomas of Rescue 936, Caernarfon SAR base, Wales.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

On 7th May 2023, just before 11pm, the crew was tasked to assist a local Mountain rescue Team responding to reports of two climbers trapped in treacherous weather on the slopes of Tryfan, a mountain in the Snowdonia National Park in North Wales.

The climbers were ‘cragfast’, stuck on a small, heavily sloping ledge, surrounded by vertical cliffs. Turbulent winds were gusting and clouds were coming and going, rapidly shrouding the pair from sight.

The difficult conditions meant the first attempt by the team to hover close to the climbers had to be abandoned as clouds closed in.

With the weather getting worse and the situation of the two climbers becoming increasingly precarious, the crew tried to reach them one more time, just as the clouds cleared.

“It was a very challenging situation,” said Deputy Chief Pilot, Richard ‘Smoo’ Smith, who nominated the crew for the award.

Advertisement
Leonardo RT

“Getting the aircraft into the right position was extremely challenging due to the cloud, the heavy turbulence, and the terrain requiring the rotor tips to be very close to the sheer cliff face alongside the aircraft.

“Working hard on the controls the crew managed to hold a workable position above the casualties. Despite the demanding circumstances the Winch-Paramedic, without hesitation, agreed to conduct the rescue, where 130 ft of cable was used to get the Winch-Paramedic to height and the aircraft was then maneuvered yet closer to the cliffs to get him onto the grassy ledge. The crew displayed superb teamwork during this rescue,

"During recovery of the climbers the Winch-Operator, Richard Taylor, was precise and rapid with his communications, the handling pilot, Dave Kenyon, was working hard to control the aircraft, and the non-handling pilot, James Stewart, was monitoring the engine instruments and providing a commentary on the cloud blowing through. Meanwhile the Winch-Paramedic, Steven Thomas, worked swiftly and carefully on a small ledge with hundreds of feet below him.  

“It was a prime example of an experienced crew working to the very edge of their and the aircraft’s, capabilities.”

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Serco appoints Keith Williams as Chair

Aerospace Defence Security Space

Serco appoints Keith Williams as Chair

4 July 2025

Serco has appointed Keith Williams to the Board as a Non-Executive Director and Chair designate.

Boeing appoints Stephen Parker as CEO of BDS

Defence Security Space

Boeing appoints Stephen Parker as CEO of BDS

3 July 2025

Boeing has appointed Stephen (Steve) Parker as president and chief executive officer of its Defense, Space & Security (BDS) business, effective immediately.

Lancashire aims at advancing cyber-enabled defence and security

Defence Security Events

Lancashire aims at advancing cyber-enabled defence and security

3 July 2025

Over 200 senior business leaders, investors, policymakers and academics from across the UK gathered this week at the Lancashire Cyber Festival to discuss Lancashire’s opportunity to become a global leader in cyber-enabled defence and security.

Airframe Designs aligns with US NCAMP standards

Aerospace Defence Security

Airframe Designs aligns with US NCAMP standards

3 July 2025

Airframe Designs has aligned its material systems with the US National Centre for Advanced Materials Performance (NCAMP) which works with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and industry partners to support its existing testing processes.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025
Bernd Kögel to spearhead launch of DSEI Germany

Defence Security Events

Bernd Kögel to spearhead launch of DSEI Germany

3 July 2025

Clarion Events Defence and Security has announced the appointment of Colonel (ret) Bernd Kögel as Managing Director of DSEI Germany, effective 1st October 2025.

Siemens and NVIDIA team to drive AI in advanced manufacturing

Aerospace Defence Security

Siemens and NVIDIA team to drive AI in advanced manufacturing

2 July 2025

Siemens and NVIDIA are expanding their partnership to accelerate the next era of industrial AI and digitalisation, towards enabling the factory of the future.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025