Multi-agencies work together to rescue two people cut off by the tide
At 6.54pm on Sunday 8 August, Wells volunteer inshore lifeboat crew were tasked by HM Coastguard to go to the assistance of two people cut off by the tide in the area of Titchwell marshes.
The Wells D class lifeboat, Peter Wilcox, launched with a volunteer crew of three outside the boathouse at 7.06pm on the flooding tide and headed down the harbour channel and out to sea towards Titchwell.
The two people were on high ground in the marshes and were visible to the local coastguard teams from Hunstanton and Wells, who had also be tasked to the incident.
The inshore lifeboat arrived on scene at 7.43pm and proceeded into the marshes. They were guided to the casualties’ location by the directions given to them from the local coastguard teams.
At 7.46pm the inshore lifeboat established that the two people were safe and well. They were transferred to the lifeboat and taken to the safety of the mainland. At 7.52pm the inshore lifeboat crew handed the casualties over to the care of the local coastguard. The lifeboat was stood down and then made the journey back to Wells Lifeboat Station.
The inshore lifeboat was ashore at 8.30pm outside the boathouse on the top of tide. It was then sanitised, rehoused, refuelled and back on service again at 9pm.
Lifeboat Operations Manager, Chris Hardy, said ‘I am very happy there was a positive outcome this evening; however, this sort of situation can be avoided. When enjoying our coastline, it is important that people are aware of the tide times and always return back to the mainland at least four hours before high tide to prevent being cut off.’
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For more information please contact Justine Sykes, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: Officer on: 07710 510516, email: juscsykes@gmail.com
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