Minehead RNLI rescue woman trapped in harbour mud

She was one of four people who found themselves trapped as they attempted to cross from Minehead sea front to the harbour.

Her companions – and their two dogs – managed to struggle free but the woman remained stuck - and quickly surrounded by the incoming tide.

Minehead’s D-class lifeboat was launched and coastguard and fire service units also attended.

The Minehead crew managed to manoeuvre the D class close to the woman then removed its floor mat to support her torso while they dug under the water around her legs to free her.

She was finally hauled clear and put ashore, shocked but unhurt, on the harbour.

Minehead RNLI Local Operations Manager Dr John Higgie said the crew had found themselves dealing with a genuine life or death situation.

“By the time they got to the woman the water was almost up to her armpits and understandably she was panicking,” he said.

“At that point we were the only agency capable of saving her and the crew did so quickly, efficiently and decisively. It was a real team effort."

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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