Schoolboy rescued from mud at Fleetwood

The warning comes after an 11 year old schoolboy from Fleetwood, became stuck in mud and sinking sand, on Black Scar Perch, near the end of the old Fleetwood Pier.

The boy was spotted by the YMCA Beach Patrol, James and Rebecca Radcliffe. Realising the dangerous situation the boy was in, they raised the alarm, whilst reassuring him help was on its way.

Fleetwood RNLI launched the inshore lifeboat, Mary Elizabeth Barnes, and reached the schoolboy at the same time as Fleetwood Coastguard. Whilst the volunteer lifeboat crew supported the boy, the Coastguard released him from the mud. The boy was, by then, waist deep in the incoming tidal waters.

Dave Eccles said: 'Ever shifting sands at Fleetwood can make it a dangerous place and you should always be on your guard if you move away from the beach. I know it’s easy to say, but if you become stuck in mud, don’t panic, stay still and raise attention to your difficulties. If you start sinking further, sit down and spread your weight.

'This incident could have ended very differently and the multi-agency response to the situation, prevented a tragedy. The training and professionalism of both the Coastguard and the volunteer lifeboat crew saves lives.'

Picture caption 
Wyre Light and Fleetwood beach. Credit RNLI

RNLI Media contacts
For more information please contact Ken Harcombe, Fleetwood RNLI Volunteer Press Officer, on 07970 197195 / [email protected]   Alison Levett, RNLI Public Relations Manager, North, on 07786 668912/ [email protected]  Or, Clare Hopps, RNLI Public Relations Officer North, on 07824 518641/ [email protected]

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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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