Volunteers from RNLI Hoylake Lifeboat Station rescue a man stuck in the mud

The man had been walking on the beach when he got into difficulty. RNLI Lifeguards were on the scene, but could not reach the casualty due to the hazardous beach conditions.

RNLI Hoylake launched their hovercraft H-005 Hurley Spirit and the crew found the casualty stuck up to his knees with the tide flooding in close by. The crew deployed mud boards to support the casualty in the thick mud. They were able to free his legs and recover him on board the hovercraft before the tide covered the area.

The casualty was assessed and required no immediate medical attention. The RNLI volunteers transported him back to Hoylake Lifeboat Station where UK Coastguard and Northwest Ambulance Service officers were waiting to meet him.

Hovercraft Crew member, Dave Noble, said; ‘The mud around the Wirral coast can be very dangerous and local beach conditions change regularly. With fast flooding tide, if it hadn’t been for the prompt and coordinated efforts of all emergency services, the outcome could have been very different.’

The tide rises rapidly along the Wirral coastline and so it is important that walkers consider their safety; remain vigilant and leave plenty of time. If members of the public do see someone in difficulty they should dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

The RNLI has four inshore rescue hovercrafts in operation across the UK. These are designed to reach areas inaccessible to conventional lifeboats, extending the charity’s lifesaving capability around the coast.

Volunteers of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution are on standby 24 hours a day ready to fulfil their duty in search and rescue operations.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Victoria Phipps, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07709 391 253 or email [email protected].

Jon Keighren, RNLI Regional Press Officer on 07776 009 999 or email [email protected]or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.

Key facts about the RNLI

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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.