
Wells RNLI volunteers aid five people and their two dogs cut off by the tide
Wells inshore lifeboat was tasked by HM Coastguard at 3:55pm on Saturday 17 June to assist five people and their two dogs that had been cut off by the incoming tide on the foreshore to the west of Wells Harbour.
The inshore lifeboat launched at 4:05pm outside the boathouse with three RNLI crew volunteers onboard and headed to the location of the casualties.
Weather conditions were sunny and visibility was good. At 4:09pm the five casualties and their two dogs had been quickly located stranded on the sandbar completely cut off by the tide and with the sand rapidly disappearing round them.
The casualties together with their dogs were safely helped onboard the inshore lifeboat and once the volunteer crew had checked that they were unharmed and required no further assistance they were taken to the safety of the beach in front of the lifeboat station.
The inshore lifeboat was recovered and rehoused. It was sanitised, refuelled and made ready for service.
RNLI Lifeboat Operations manager, Chris Hardy said: ‘This is the same area of sand that is causing an issue time and time again. We are trying hard to get the message across to the public of the danger as the tide turns especially at this time of year and to the increased risk of cold water shock. We encourage people to check the tide times for the area before they head out and to remain vigilant of their surroundings.’
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For more information, please contact Jess Curtis, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [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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