New Brighton RNLI rescue two woman and their dogs from flooding sand bank
New Brighton’s volunteer crew were tasked early on Sunday 12 March to assist two women and two dogs who had became cut off by the tide on the North Bank sandbank, off Leasowe Bay.
UK Coastguard tasked New Brighton’s inshore lifeboat, Charles Dibdin, to reports of two women and two dogs, who had become stranded on a cut off sandbank on a fast-flooding tide. The bank in question, North Bank, just off Leasowe bay, has a very short window of time between being cut off by the tide and being completely submerged, and had already been cut off when the call came in.
New Brighton RNLI were tasked at 9:42am on Sunday 12 March, due to fast flowing tide and projected depth of tide for that day. Wirral Coastguard units were able to communicate with the casualties and informed them to remain on the sand bank until the lifeboat arrived on scene.
Once on scene, the casualties were placed in life jackets and assessed for injuries. Once the crew were satisfied that all parties were well enough to be recovered to the boat, the process of evacuation began. All casualties, two women and their two dogs, were recovered to lifeboat and returned to Fort Perch Rock Beach.
Once safely back on shore, local Coastguard units provided first aid. New Brighton RNLI returned to station to wash down and prepare for next service.
New Brighton helm, Dan Wardle, said:
‘The North Bank is notorious for catching people out, due to its fast-flowing tide and short timeframe between being cut off and completely submerged. We were able to recover these casualties quickly and efficiently, with the help of our colleagues at the Coastguard, who were excellent that morning.
If you are walking out near the water, always be sure to check tide times before you go and always carry a means of calling for help with you. If you should get into trouble yourself, or observe others in difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.'
Notes to Editors:
New Brighton RNLI was established in 1863 in the bustling seaside resort of New Brighton, on the north east corner of the Wirral peninsula. They cover the River Mersey and out into the Irish Sea.
The station is home to a B-class Atlantic 85 lifeboat, one of the fastest in the RNLI fleet. The crews at New Brighton have been presented with a remarkable 48 awards for gallantry to date.
RNLI Media Contacts:
Connor Wray – Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer
07756553092
Lauren Francom – Lifeboat Press Officer
07850449080
RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.