Two dog walkers were rescued by an RNLI hovercraft after finding themselves in trouble on a Merseyside beach.
The pair had been separated from the sea wall by the rapidly encroaching tide on Leasowe Beach. The hovercraft Hurley Spirit and her volunteer crew launched from , Hoylake and headed to the casualties’ reported location between Barber’s Folly and Leasowe Lighthouse at around 1.15pm on Saturday January 28.
They were assisted on board the hovercraft along with their dog, and after a quick check to ensure they required no medical assistance - the casualties were flown ashore to Meols and passed to Coastguard officers.
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Hoylake RNLI Coxswain Howie Owen said: "The tide around the Wirral coast can flood in very quickly and it's not uncommon for people out walking to find themselves cut off unexpectedly. If the alarm hadn’t been raised in good time, the casualties and their dog would have been in greater danger with the beach around them soon covered by the tide.’
Howie added: "The RNLI launches to hundreds of incidents each year with people cut off by the tide. If you're heading out across the beach, always check the weather forecast, tide times and local safety signage, keep an eye on your surroundings, and know your route to safety. Always carry a means of calling for help and if you get into difficulty, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard."
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