Six rescued from water by Hoylake RNLI as hot weather sparks rise in call-outs
Six rescued from water by Hoylake RNLI as hot weather sparks rise in call-outs
Lifeboats News Release
When a group of adults and children found themselves waist deep in water in Leasowe Bay on Wednesday 10 August, a rescue effort between Hoylake RNLI and the coastguard was launched.
The group of four adults and two children had been cut off by the rapidly flooding tide near to Leasowe Lighthouse. They were spotted by the Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team attempting to cross a deep gutter to reach the nearby sea wall, but had found themselves in difficulty.
The alarm was raised and Hoylake RNLI hovercraft was requested to launch just after 8.00pm. The hovercraft
Hurley Spirit and her volunteer crew quickly arrived on scene and pulled the casualties from the water.
Fortunately they were all okay and required no medical attention, so the hovercraft flew the group back towards Meols and passed them ashore safely to Coastguard officers. With nobody else in difficulty, the hovercraft stood down and returned to the lifeboat station.
The incident follows another rescue by the RNLI hovercraft the previous evening when two young people had also been cut off by the flooding tide in the same location.
Hoylake RNLI volunteer hovercraft commander James Whiteley said: ‘The incidents this week highlight the real dangers around our coast, where fast flooding tides can quickly catch people out and cut them off from the shore. We hope everyone can enjoy a beach visit safely but with more hot weather and big tides on the way, we urge everyone to check and understand tide times and heights. If you’re heading out, know your route to safety and always carry a means of calling for help.’
‘Try and avoid entering the water and dial 999 for the Coastguard in an emergency. If you find yourself in difficulty in the water, don’t panic and float to live - stay calm, lean back and extend your arms and legs, and float until you can swim to safety or call for help.’
James added: ‘The sea defences on the north Wirral shore are currently undergoing repairs and upgrades, so we would advise anyone visiting areas like Leasowe Beach to be particularly cautious of new hazards like deeper waters and submerged rock armour.’
RNLI media contacts
For more information, please contact:
Dan Whiteley, Hoylake RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on 07799 851 316 or email [email protected]
Claire Elshaw, RNLI Regional Media Officer on 07468 353 082 or email [email protected]
RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789
Hoylake RNLI
Four adults and two children were rescued from the water by Hoylake RNLI and brought safely ashore at Meols
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.
