In the second mud rescue callout in the area today, two UK Coastguard Rescue Teams on the far side of the Irish Sea worked with the Fire and Rescue service to rescue a 14-year-old boy stuck in the mud at New Brighton beach yesterday.
Two 999 calls were made to Liverpool Coastguard by members of the public at 5 o’ clock yesterdayafternoon reporting that a boy was stuck in the mud at New Brighton beach on the Wirral. The boy, who was up to his thighs in mud with the tide coming in, was understandably incredibly distressed and shouting for help.
Liverpool Coastguard sent Coastguard Rescue Teams from Crosby and Hoylake to the scene, along with requesting the launch of New Brighton lifeboat and the Fire and Rescue craft. Earlier in the day, Crosby Coastguard Rescue Team had been called to rescue a man stuck in the mud, this time in front of Liverpool Coastguard Station in Crosby.
The Coastguard Rescue Officers worked with the Fire and Rescue teams using specialist equipment to pull the boy from the mud and he was freed at half past five and checked over by paramedics.
Liverpool Coastguard Watch Manager Paul Parkes said:
“It only took half an hour from the 999 call being made to the casualty being pulled from the mud, but with a rising tide and the risk of exposure and hypothermia, every second counts. In fact, by the time the boy was rescued the tide was only 10 feet away and coming in fast.
The shore at New Brighton and Crosby is very muddy, and can often lead to those who are unaware of the terrain getting stuck or into difficulty. Always be aware of the hazards of the local area if you are going for a walk on the shore, and dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard in an emergency.”