WIRRAL lifeboat crews have taken part in a daring rescue of a person stuck in mud in what was described as a "critical incident".

On Tuesday (February 28) at 2.53pm crew from RNLI Hoylake and RNLI New Brighton helped Holyhead MRCC, HM Coastguard Crosby and Flint Coastguard Rescue Team to rescue a person stuck in mud in a gully up to their waist in a tidal section of the River Alt estuary.

As the tide was flooding in fast, it was categorised as a 'time-critical incident'. 

A hovercraft from RNLI Hoylake Lifeboat Station and an Atlantic 85 lifeboat from RNLI New Brighton Lifeboat Station were used during the rescue.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust Hazardous Area Response team were also in attendance.

In a Facebook post, Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team said: "This was a superb example of how a multi-agency response can often be the safest way to achieve a successful rescue and best outcome for the casualty.

"This was a great outcome that would not have been possible without each emergency service bringing their own skill set to the rescue."

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The HM Coastguard Officer In Charge (OIC) on scene, having assessed the casualties situation, deployed two specialist Coastguard mud rescue technicians and two firefighters onto the mudbanks wearing rescue PPE.

The multi-agency team of five worked together to dig the casualty out by hand. The casualty was recovered to the inflatable sled with only minutes to spare before the tide reached the location.

The casualty was then checked over by a Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) paramedic who had also made his way to scene with the assistance of the lifeboat.

Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team confirmed that the casualty was cold and exhausted but otherwise ok.

In the Facebook post, Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team listed the following advice:

  • Check tide times
  • Avoid walking on mudflats
  • Retrace your steps to avoid going further into mud
  • If you do get stuck in mud don’t panic, keep still and spread your weight to avoid sinking further
  • Call and ask for The Coastguard and shout for help
  • Discourage others from entering the danger zone and attempting to assist you

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