BOY RESCUED FROM QUICKSAND ON THE ISLE OF HARRIS
A 13-year old boy has been rescued by
Coastguards after sinking in quicksand at Scarista Beach on the Isle of
Harris.
Stornoway Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre
(MRCC) received a call at 3:40pm this afternoon that the young person was up to
his face in sand that was compressing his chest.
Tarbert and Stornoway Coastguard Rescue Teams
and local Police and Fire and Rescue Services were mobilised to carry out the
operation to extract him.
Jamie Ralston, Stornoway MRCC Manager said: “It was fortunate that we were able to reach this
youngster in time. Coastguard advice is that if you do find yourself stuck in
quicksand or mud, try to spread your weight as much as possible, avoid moving
and stay as calm as you can. Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard and we’ll get
our specially trained teams out to you as quickly as possible. Discourage
others from attempting to rescue you, since without the proper equipment they
could become stuck in the mud as well.”
The Coastguard helicopter took the boy to the Western Isles Hospital, Stornoway, where he is recovering.