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Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team along with Hoylake Hovercraft were mobilised following multiple 999 calls at about 11:30am yesterday morning, reporting a male stuck in the mud between Dovepoint in Meols and Leasowe Lighthouse.
The man, who was bait digging, was struggling to reach the shore and despite eventually freeing himself from the mud, then ended up in the water as the gullies across the beach rapidly filled with water.
A Coastguard Rescue Officer in water rescue gear entered the water to carry out a rescue of the casualty and keep him safe until the arrival of the Hovercraft.
Hoylake hovercraft arrived on scene shortly after where the casualty was being kept afloat in waist deep water by the Coastguard Rescue Officer. Both the Coastguard Rescue Officer and casualty were taken on board the hovercraft and a medical assessment of the casualty was commenced who was suffering from the effects of cold having been in the water.
The casualty was transported to Meols steps and handed over to North West Ambulance Service and Coastguard Rescue Officers before being transported to hospital for further assessment. Merseyside Police and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service were also in attendance at the incident. A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said that the incident was dealt with by midday.
Michael Buratti, Station Officer for Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team said, “The tide can very easily catch people out and today this gentleman had a very luckily escape after struggling through mud and then ending up in the water.
“Without the interventions of Coastguard Rescue Officers and Hoylake Hovercraft, the ending could have been tragic and I would like to praise the efforts of Coastguard Rescue Officers and the RNLI Crew from Hoylake Hovercraft for how effectively they worked together. This incident is a reminder of how important it is for people to check tide times and be aware of their surroundings when on the beach”.
Images courtesy of Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team