Prince William saves man’s life in chopper rescue mission

MELBOURNE - Prince William saved a man’s life during a military helicopter rescue mission, defense officials have revealed.

Gym worker Greg Watkins was stuck up Mount Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales, in stormy conditions after suffering a suspected heart attack last Thursday.

The 28-year-old prince, a Royal Air Force (RAF) search and rescue pilot based in northwest Wales, were part of a four-man crew scrambled to rescue Watkins.

William, second in line to the throne is known as Flight Lieutenant Wales in the military.

“If it wasn’t for him and the rest of his crew, I’d be dead,” the Daily Telegraph quoted Watkins as telling the Sunday Mirror newspaper.

“Hearing his helicopter getting nearer and nearer was the best sound I’ve ever heard. He and his crew saved my life.

“He’d probably say he was just doing his job but, to me, he and his crew are heroes. The weather was appalling up on that mountain. How he managed to get the helicopter so close defies belief.

“The fog was so thick at times, you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face. The rain was lashing down and it was howling a gale.”

“I didn’t know much about what was happening at the time.”

“I didn’t know Prince William was flying the helicopter until we landed at the hospital. Even then, I felt too unwell for it to register much.

“The winchman helped me out and on to a stretcher and whispered ‘Prince William’s just flown you here.’ I looked up at him and just said ‘Oh. Tell him thank you,’ Watkins added.

A UK Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “Flight Lieutenant Wales was called out, as part of a four-man RAF search and rescue crew, to assist a man suffering from chest pains on Snowdon.

“The man was subsequently flown to a local hospital for treatment,” spokesman added. (ANI)