Wirral Coastguard called out three times in one night

Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team were called to Hoylake Beach after reports of a car on the beach near to the tide line with the tide on its way in this evening.

On arrival, the car made its way ashore and the incident was left with Merseyside Police.

The team were tasked straight after the first incident to reports of people cut off on North Bank in New Brighton.

As the team were en route to the incident, the 999 caller rang back the control room with an update that the people had now made it ashore safely.

With that information, the team was stood down and immediately mobilised to a further incident in Leasowe.

The Team was tasked following multiple 999 calls reporting 2 people stuck in the mud on Leasowe Beach.

As the team were in the area having been stood down en route to a previous incident, Coastguard Rescue Officers arrived on scene within 5 minutes of being tasked.

Given the rapidly incoming tide, a Coastguard Mud Rescue Technician in full mud rescue protective equipment immediately committed to the mud to perform a rescue. The two women, who had been out walking, had got stuck and were unable to move.

With the tide on its way in, the incident was time critical. The women were quickly released from the mud and an assessment was made to ensure no further medical attention was required.

Luckily, both were unharmed. Hoylake Hovercraft was tasked but stood down en route to the incident.

Credit: Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team

Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team gave the following advice following tonight’s callouts:

If you find yourself stuck in the mud:

  • Spread your weight across the surface and avoid moving too much. This will prevent you sinking any further.
  • Stay calm.
  • Discourage others from trying to rescue you as they may become stuck too.
  • Call 999 and for the Coastguard.

As the team were returning to station, Coastguard Rescue Officers observed two people and a dog crossing a gulley onto a sand bank and heading towards the tide line.

With the tide incoming and not long before this particular sandbank would have been cut off by the tide, Coastguard Rescue Officers accessed the beach and attracted the attention of the people and guided them out of the danger area and offered advice in relation to tides.

The Wirral Coastguard Service stated, “All these incident today could have been avoided. Government advice is currently to #StayAtHome

“Please think before you expose yourself to potential danger on our coast. You could be exposing yourself, and already extremely stretched emergency services to COVID-19.

“Our beautiful coastline will still be there when things get back to normal. If you see someone in trouble on the coast or you get into difficulty, always dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

Main image credit: Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team