Hoylake RNLI hovercraft rescues three people cut off near Leasowe Lighthouse

Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team had been tasked and located the casualties trapped on a sandbank on the Wirral beach. The RNLI hovercraft Hurley Spirit and her volunteer crew launched and headed to the scene, where Coastguard officers had been attempting to contact the casualties from the shore to warn them of the danger from the rising tide.

The hovercraft soon arrived and the crew brought the three casualties on board. They required no medical assistance and were flown to the safety of the shore, where they were passed to the care of the Coastguard and Merseyside Police.

The rescue comes just weeks before RNLI Lifeguards begin their patrols on the Wirral’s beaches for the 2025 season, starting at the start of the School Easter Holidays on 5 April.

Paul Sherratt, Hoylake RNLI hovercraft commander, said: ‘Leasowe Beach can be a particularly hazardous stretch of local coastline with areas of soft sand and tidal gutters. The casualties were fortunate that onlookers raised the alarm when they saw the danger, otherwise this incident could have ended very differently.’

‘If you aren’t familiar with a coastal area and don’t have a plan, you can quickly find yourself in trouble and at risk of getting cut off by the tide. If you’re heading to the coast, always check for local safety signage, carry a means of calling for help, and ensure you know the tide times and weather before you go. If you get into difficulty, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.'

Media contacts

For more information, please contact:

Dan Whiteley, Hoylake RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on 07799 851 316 or email [email protected]

Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager on 07977 728 315 or email [email protected]

RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789

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