Prince William was devastated last night after flying his first helicopter rescue mission in which the victim died. Wills, 28, was the co-pilot in an RAF crew that was scrambled after a dog walker fell 150ft from a clifftop in North Wales. He helped spot Barbara Mageean, 73, lying on rocks and guided the pilot as he edged their Sea King into position and a winchman was lowered.
The crew bravely put their lives on the line as they hovered perilously close to the cliffs in strong winds while she was put on a stretcher and winched up to the chopper. Tragically, Mrs Mageean was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital in Bangor.
The grandmother of five had been walking her dog with husband Owen at Llanbadraig, near Cemaes, on Monday. It is thought she tried to grab the pet, fearing it might go over the cliff, but lost her balance. The Prince became a search and rescue pilot last year and is based at RAF Valley, Anglesey. A source at the base said: "William has been on shouts before, but this was the first time he had been faced with a death. It is always tragic and frustrating. He kept calm and focused on his training. It is something he will not forget for a long time."
Mrs Mageean and ex-teacher Owen, of Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, had been staying at a nearby holiday cottage. They have two adult children. An inquest was opened and adjourned yesterday. An RAF spokesman said: "We can confirm that the duty SAR crew at RAF Valley was scrambled to assist an elderly female cliff faller."
The crew bravely put their lives on the line as they hovered perilously close to the cliffs in strong winds while she was put on a stretcher and winched up to the chopper. Tragically, Mrs Mageean was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital in Bangor.
The grandmother of five had been walking her dog with husband Owen at Llanbadraig, near Cemaes, on Monday. It is thought she tried to grab the pet, fearing it might go over the cliff, but lost her balance. The Prince became a search and rescue pilot last year and is based at RAF Valley, Anglesey. A source at the base said: "William has been on shouts before, but this was the first time he had been faced with a death. It is always tragic and frustrating. He kept calm and focused on his training. It is something he will not forget for a long time."
Mrs Mageean and ex-teacher Owen, of Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, had been staying at a nearby holiday cottage. They have two adult children. An inquest was opened and adjourned yesterday. An RAF spokesman said: "We can confirm that the duty SAR crew at RAF Valley was scrambled to assist an elderly female cliff faller."
