#COASTGUARD – Two walkers have been rescued from the water at West Kirby on the River Dee estuary after a three hour ordeal, lost in fog.

Liverpool Coastguard received a 999 call from the pair at 5.10pm reporting that they had set off for a dog walk out on the sands near Hilbre Island but thick fog had come in and they became disorientated and lost.  The tide was coming in and it was dark at 5pm so combined with foggy conditions the visibility was very poor.

Liverpool Coastguard initiated a search of the area involving Hoylake and Newbrighton Coastguard rescue teams, West Kirby RNLI inshore lifeboat and the Hoylake lifeboat tractor.  The rescue helicopter from RAF Valley also began a search of the area but foggy conditions prevented them continuing.

The Merseyside Coastguard Sector Manager was able to keep talking with them by mobile phone but visibility was less than 20 metres and the pair reported that they were up to their waists in water with the incoming tide.  At 8pm the shore crew of the West Kirby RNLI lifeboat heard them shouting and the inshore lifeboat was guided in to recover the two males and their dog from the water and transfer them to a waiting ambulance.  The pair are a father and son and were reported to have been suffering from severe hypothermia.

Liverpool Coastguard Watch Manager Graham Parr says,

"These large stretches of sand and channels can be treacherous so always check weather and tides before you set off and ensure you leave plenty of time to get back to shore before darkness.  Unfortunately these walkers were caught out by thick fog today."