Safety warning from Hoylake and New Brighton RNLI after rescue at Leasowe
When a dog walker found herself cut off by the fast flooding tide in the dark near Leasowe Lighthouse on Monday 16 September, HM Coastguard requested the launch of Hoylake RNLI hovercraft and New Brighton RNLI lifeboat, alongside the Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team.
The Coastguard had located the casualty from the shore and encouraged her to head to a safer area of the beach by walking towards Meols.
The RNLI hovercraft Hurley Spirit and her volunteer crew were tasked at 8.22pm and soon arrived on scene near to Barber’s Folly alongside New Brighton’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat Charles Dibdin, which had been out on exercise before the tasking.
The casualty and her dog were assisted on board the RNLI hovercraft and after a quick check by the crew to make sure they were both safe and well, the casualty and her dog were flown over the deepening tidal gutter and passed to Coastguard officers.
Hoylake RNLI hovercraft commander Matt Pownall-Jones said: ‘The tide around the Wirral coast can flood in very quickly and is especially treacherous in the dark. If the alarm hadn’t been raised, the casualty and her dog would have been in greater danger with the beach around them soon covered by the tide.’
Matt added: ‘With the nights drawing in and regular RNLI Lifeguard patrols ending at the end of September, we encourage everyone heading to the coast to always check the tidal conditions, weather and local safety signage. Always keep an eye on your surroundings and know your route to safety. Carry a means of calling for help and if you get into difficulty, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact:
Dan Whiteley, Lifeboat Press Officer on 07799 851 316 or email [email protected]
Claire Devine, Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer 07734 817 068 or email [email protected]
RNLI Press Office 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 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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.