Pilot Who Would Be King Flies To The Aid Of A Hiker

Prince William went to the aid of a hiker on Britain's Mount Snowdon as part of his SAR duties in the RAF just two days after announcing his engagement to Kate Middleton. 

File Photo Courtesy RAF

The Prince, who is second in line of succession to the British throne, was the pilot onboard an IAF Sea King which flew a rescue mission to assist a hiker who suffered an apparent heart attack at an elevation of about 3,000 feet on the mountain during a storm.

The British newspaper the Mirror reports that Prince William and his three-man crew were scrambled at about 1330 local time for the rescue. He had just returned to RAF Valley in Anglesey after announcing his engagement. The Prince reportedly used a small break in the fog on the mountain to lower a resuce basket to Greg Watkins, who had collapsed from chest pains. Weather at the time was reported as foggy with strong, gusty winds on the mountain.

Watkins said later he didn't realize the pilot of the helicopter was Prince William until they had landed at the hostpial. The winch operator told him that "Prince William just flew you here," as they loaded him onto the stretcher.

FMI: www.raf.mod.uk/rafvalley