Man saved from tricky mud spot with minutes to spare

HM Coastguard was recently involved in a 'lifesaving' mission, as a walker stuck waist-deep in mud was rescued with minutes to spare.

Just before 3pm on Tuesday, February 28, the Coastguard received reports that a man was stuck in mud in the Blundellsands area, Liverpool.

The Coastguard sent rescue teams from Crosby, Wirral and Flint to the scene, alongside Hoylake RNLI’s hovercraft and an inshore lifeboat from New Brighton RNLI. Northwest Ambulance Service and Merseyside Fire and Rescue were also sent to assist.

With the tide flooding into the River Alt and the casualty being stuck the other side, this was a difficult mission for the teams involved.

Once all assets were at the scene they were transferred by lifeboat across a shallow and unchartered gully to reach the bank where the walker was stuck. 

Successfully extracted from the mud, the casualty was then flown by the hovercraft to safety, transferred into the care of the ambulance service.

Pictures of rescue mission from RNLI, left from Mike Stannard / right from Connor Wray

Merseyside Coastal Operations Area Commander Mike Buratti said:

“This was a lifesaving mission and a really good joint effort between the Coastguard, RNLI, Northwest Ambulance and Merseyside Fire and Rescue. We couldn’t have done it without the incredible work and communication of everyone involved.

“This was a difficult to access location with not a lot of time, probably around 20 minutes, and everything required of us was outside of the norm. All of the assets helped significantly in returning the casualty to safety. Without them the outcome could have been very different.”

Mike added: “Getting stuck in the mud is not uncommon so, while we will always respond, make sure you are prepared for a trip to the coast and know what to do in this type of situation.

“If the worst was to happen and you do get stuck in mud, spread your weight as evenly as possible across the surface. Do not let others try and help as they then may need rescuing too.

“If in trouble call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

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