
West Kirby RNLI assists three walkers and a family stranded by rising tides
On Saturday (1 February), volunteer lifeboat crew from West Kirby RNLI rescued three people from Hilbre Island after responding to reports of a woman, child and dog stranded on Little Eye.
At 10:48am on Saturday, West Kirby RNLI was paged by HM Coastguard to respond to reports of a woman, child and their dog stranded on Little Eye by the rising tide.
The casualties had made the call to 999 themselves asking for help after realising they were surrounded by the rising tide. Within 10 minutes, the D class lifeboat, Leonard Pownall, launched from Sandy Lane slipway and made headway towards the location. As soon as the crew were on scene, they spotted the woman, child and dog making their way back to shore, successfully wading out of the deeper water.
The Coastguard team met the casualties as they came out of the water and checked for any injuries. With them safely back on shore, the lifeboat crew conducted a sweep around Hilbre Island to check for any additional casualties. During the search, they spotted a man waving for assistance on the southwest corner of Hilbre Island.
On arrival, a crew member went ashore and confirmed that three men had become stranded by the tide and required assistance.
The men were safely brought aboard the lifeboat and transported back to shore via Sandy Lane, where they were checked over by the crew and given a warm drink and biscuits at the lifeboat station. One casualty required minor first aid treatment but was otherwise well.
The Coastguard response team was also present at the station to check on the casualties and ensure they were safe and well. Despite the cold and wet conditions, all casualties were in good spirits and relieved to be back on dry land.
The lifeboat was then washed down, refuelled, and made ready for service.
Andy Brown, West Kirby RNLI Launch Authority, said:
‘Thankfully the first casualties had immediately used their mobile phone to dial 999, and asked for the Coastguard. They made the right call without delay, enabling the lifeboat to be on scene so quickly. It's also reassuring to know how vigilant our community is, after a number of members of the public also called in the danger they saw unfolding, thank you, your actions genuinely help save lives at sea.
‘Saturday's rescue was a reminder of how quickly the tide can change and catch people out. We encourage anyone heading out to Hilbre Island, Little Eye or surrounding areas to always check tide times on the
Wirral Council website and ensure you have a safe route back. Always carry a means of calling for help and if you find yourself in trouble, don’t hesitate to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’
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For more information please contact Mim Mellors or Eve Kemp RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officers on [email protected] and [email protected] or 07702786966 and 07446888713.
Alternatively you can contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager on [email protected] or 07977 728 315, or the RNLI Press Office on [email protected] or 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 146,000 lives.
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