Emergency services surrounded a section of Crosby Beach after people were trapped in the mud on a New Year's walk.
HM Coastguard along with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) and Merseyside Police scrambled to Crosby Beach, near the leisure centre, just before 4.10pm on Tuesday, January 2, following a 999 call. The call reported two people had got into difficulty around 500 metres from the shoreline.
Emergency services found one of the people, who had been walking along the beach, was up to their knees in mud while the second casualty was not stuck, but couldn't get back to the shoreline on their own.
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Both casualties were rescued shortly after being located by the Coastguard. NWAS paramedics conducted precautionary checks where it was confirmed the two casualties were suffering from exposure to the cold, but did not require hospital treatment.
This wasn't the first incident emergency services were called to today, with the Coastguard being called to at least four incidents over New Year's Day and January 2. The first 999 call came from a concerned member of the public who spotted three people stuck in the mud on Crosby Beach at 12.28pm.
Just over an hour later, the second call came in when a man and his dog needed assistance after they also got stuck. Crosby RNLI lifeguards attended both incidents and were able to get the people to safety.
One person was also pulled from the mud by firefighters using rope in Leasowe, Wirral, at 2.44pm today (January 2). A man walking near Leasowe Golf Club saw another man stuck in the mud behind some rocks.
After calling the Coastguard and fire service, he was pulled from the mud by two firefighters using a tethered line. After being checked over by NWAS it was confirmed the man had no injuries.
The Coastguard has now issued a warning after the spate of incidents.
Richard Brighton, for HM Coastguard said: "This is a beautiful stretch of coastline and we want people to enjoy it, but it can be dangerous. If you are visiting the coast, please consider the risks and do your best to avoid getting into trouble.
"Crosby beach contains areas of very soft mud, which as today shows, people can easily get stuck in. It’s best to avoid these areas of mud by staying close to the shore and take note of the warning signs.
"Thankfully, those who got stuck today were not seriously hurt, but it highlights just how dangerous mud can be. If you do become stuck in the mud, our advice is to stay calm, try and spread your weight as much as possible, and stop other members of the public from trying to rescue you as they may also get stuck.
"Remember in an emergency at the coast call 999 and ask for the Coastguard."
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