A warning has been issued to visitors of a popular north west beauty spot after a woman was rescued from thick mud yesterday (May 29).
The woman had to be dramatically rescued in West Kirby on the Bank Holiday Monday after she became stuck for 'some time', the ECHO reports. The coastguard from the Wirral and North Wales were called after the alarm was raised for the woman around 1.44pm.
A Hoylake RNLI hovercraft was sent out to rescue her, finding the woman stuck in a channel of shallow water and unable to make it back to the shore. Police and paramedics also attended.
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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 RNLI said although she was feeling 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 has now issued a warning to anyone visiting the coast, with the warm weather set to continue into the first week of June.
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.’"
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