Wheelchair user stranded by tide joins RNLI in bank holiday safety warning

Jo Jones was enjoying a day at the coast in New Brighton with her carer and assistance dog Yoda when she suddenly realised her wheelchair was wedged in the sand as the incoming tide began to flood in around her. Shocked at how rapidly the tide can catch people out, she has now teamed up with the RNLI to offer essential safety advice to anyone visiting the coast.

With higher than usual tides over the bank holiday weekend, Jo is helping the RNLI to keep people safe by encouraging anyone visiting the coast to be cautious and well prepared.

Jo says:

‘One minute I was throwing the ball for Yoda, I went to move forward and realised the chair was stuck. I looked down and the back and the front wheels had sunk into the sand. I looked up to see the tide coming in quickly. I couldn’t believe how quickly it was happening, in minutes the water had started to creep in behind me. It was absolutely terrifying.

‘I was in a state of panic and phoned my mum. My carer called 999 and asked for the Coastguard as there was no way of getting me out.’

The Hoylake RNLI volunteer crew were requested by HM Coastguard to the incident on the North Bank last Friday (24 April). The station’s RNLI hovercraft Hurley Spirit and its volunteer crew were joined by Wirral and Flint Coastguard Rescue Teams and the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service. Once the hovercraft arrived, the teams worked together to recover Jo from the wheelchair onto Hoylake’s hovercraft, whilst her carer made her own way ashore.

Hoylake’s RNLI hovercraft flew Jo to the safety of the shore, where they were passed to the care of coastguard rescue officers. Coastguard and fire service officers were then able to extract the wheelchair from the mud and bring it ashore.

Jo says:

‘The co-ordination between the teams was fantastic. The rescue happened efficiently and smoothly and I honestly can’t thank the teams enough. I just don’t know what would have happened had they not been there. I’m just so grateful.

‘This is the first time I’ve been out to the beach this year, but I’m really familiar with the beach in New Brighton and always check the tide times. We were just caught out, the water was coming in much more rapidly than I remember and I’d urge people to just be extra cautious.

‘This incident has scared me, but is not going to stop me going to the coast. This wheelchair gives me so much freedom, I love being by the sea but I’ll be much more careful in future. I’d urge anyone out visiting the coast to just carefully check the weather and tides as it’s so very easy to be caught out. My carer did exactly the right thing by calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard. The message is don’t delay if you’re in trouble, they were able to get to me really quickly and the RNLI volunteers were so reassuring that we’d done exactly the right thing.’

Chris Cousens, RNLI Regional Water Safety Lead says:

‘We are incredibly grateful to Jo for sharing her story and helping us to spread this vital safety advice. With the May bank holiday being a prime opportunity for coastal walks, it’s important to be safe. Tide times and heights vary throughout the month, and the incoming tide can easily leave people stranded. If you are planning on visiting the coast, check the tide times before you go. If you can’t understand the information on tide tables, ask people who know the area and pay attention to any safety signs.’

There will be spring tides over this coming weekend, meaning a greater difference between low and high tide. At high tide, the water comes in further and can move faster than on smaller tides increasing the risk of becoming stranded. On bigger tides, places will be cut off by the tide more quickly than normal and places usually unaffected by the tide may also be cut off.

Chris adds:

‘If you’re visiting the coast this weekend, always carry a means of calling for help, like a fully charged mobile phone. If you do get into difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’

Area Commander Michael Buratti from HM Coastguard said:

‘Jo’s experience is a powerful reminder of how quickly a routine trip to the beach can turn into something unexpected. With the upcoming bank holiday weekend, we expect beaches to be very busy, and people should be aware that some areas may contain soft mud which can be extremely dangerous. If you are visiting the coast, try to avoid patches of soft mud. If you do become stuck, the safest thing to do is to sit back to spread your weight evenly, stop others from trying to help you, as they may also become stuck, call 999 immediately and ask for the Coastguard.’

Notes to editors

• This was the first rescue for Hoylake’ RNLI hovercraft’s new commander Chris Gaskin. Full story here: Hoylake RNLI launches to multi-agency rescue of two people off New Brighton | RNLI

• Interviews with Jo Jones and RNLI Water Safety Lead Chris Cousens can be arranged on request.

• Footage of the hovercraft launching to assist Jo is available here: https://source.rnli.org.uk/m/501c300ec811ab70/original/Hoylake-RNLI-hovercraft-launches-on-service-24-April-2026.mov

• Images of Jo and her dog Yoda are available to download here: https://source.rnli.org.uk/share/FA141FC6-6942-41E0-A0080E67A89F5881/

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Danielle Rush, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 07786 668829 or [email protected] or Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected] or 07977 728315, or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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