A woman had to be rescued after becoming stuck up to her waist in mud at a local beauty spot.
The coastguard saved the woman in West Kirby on Monday, May 29, and released her from the mud at the south end of Marine Lake at around 1.44pm, reports the Liverpool Echo.
It is believed the woman had been left stricken for some time before a Hoylake RNLI hovercraft arrived at the scene and the woman was discovered to be firmly stuck in a channel of shallow water and unable to reach the shore.
Police and paramedics also assisted the coastguard crew with the rescue.
An RNLI spokesperson said: "The hovercraft landed carefully alongside the casualty and the crew deployed mud boards and mats around her to provide them all with a solid surface.
"The RNLI crew were then able to swiftly extract the casualty from the mud and bring her on board the hovercraft."
The woman was assessed by the ambulance service at the scene and the RNLI said that despite suffering from shock and the effects of the cold mud, she required no urgent treatment.
They added: "Coastguard officers had crossed the beach with a stretcher, which the casualty was encouraged to use for further safety."
The RNLI took the opportunity to issue a warning to anyone visiting the coast, as the warm weather looks set to continue for the next week.
Hoylake RNLI Second Coxswain and hovercraft commander Tony Warburton said: "Our crew were glad we could assist the casualty to safety after she got into difficulty in thick mud, which is common to beaches all around the Merseyside coast.
"With more good weather on the way, we’re expecting many more people to head to the coast over half-term and would always advise visiting a lifeguarded beach, checking the weather forecast and tide times, and looking out for local safety signage.’
"If you get stuck in mud, try and retrace your steps to safety or spread your weight as evenly as you can. Avoid moving, stay calm, and discourage others from trying to help as they may get stuck themselves. Instead, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard, who will send trained and equipped emergency services to help.’"
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our newsletter here.
READ NEXT:
Queen Camilla will get a new title when Prince William becomes King
Scots dad dies after shock cancer diagnosis when he was unable to get out of bed
Truth behind Eamonn Holmes and Philip Schofield feud after claims of 'tricky' relationship emerges
