Wells RNLI crew rescue two people and dog cut off by tide

Wells RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Peter Wilcox was paged at 2.36pm on Thursday 14 May following reports from the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) at Wells, who had spotted the casualties and alerted HM Coastguard as part of the ongoing partnership between the organisations.

The inshore lifeboat, with a crew of three volunteers, launched from the north slipway at the boathouse at 2.48pm and proceeded towards the casualties, who were clearly visible from the station.

Peter Wilcox arrived on scene at 2.48pm, where crew safely transferred the two casualties and their large dog, who had become nervous in the rising water, onboard the lifeboat at 2.52pm.

Wells RNLI volunteer crew then took the casualties to the safety of the main beach, where they were dropped ashore at 2.58pm so they could make their way back to the beach car park and meet with the local Coastguard Rescue Team.

The inshore lifeboat was released from the scene and returned to the north slipway, where it was recovered ashore at 3.01pm. The lifeboat was then rehoused, refuelled and ready again for service at 3.19pm.

National Coastwatch Institution volunteers at Wells played an important role in the incident by quickly spotting the casualties and reporting the situation to HM Coastguard.

Wells RNLI Water Safety Officer Mandy Humphreys said: ‘We’d like to thank the NCI volunteers for their swift actions and continued partnership working with RNLI crews and HM Coastguard. Their vigilance helps ensure people get assistance quickly when situations begin to develop along the coastline.

‘The tides and channels around Wells can change incredibly quickly and what may appear to be a safe route can soon become cut off by rising water. We would always encourage anyone visiting the coast to check tide times carefully, be aware of local hazards and make their way back to safe ground well before the tide turns.

‘If you do find yourself in difficulty at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Jess Curtis, RNLI Press Officer Wells [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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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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