Tourists stranded by tide rescued from 'extremely dangerous' spot near Southport

Coastguard at the scene on Friday afternoon
-Credit: (Image: HM Coastguard Southport)


Two tourists have been rescued by a coastguard crew from an "extremely dangerous" muddy area after being stranded by the tide.

HM Coastguard Southport responded to a call at 12.39pm on Friday (September 13) after the pair were trapped on Great Bank, just north-west of the RSPB car park at Marshside, LancsLive reports. The Southport Offshore Rescue Trust swiftly deployed quad bikes to reach the pair and escorted them back to safety.

Support was also provided by the flank team HM Coastguard Crosby, who attended with the region's Argocat, an eight-wheeled vehicle designed for challenging terrains. The tourists were intending to walk to Blackpool when they got cut off at Southport.

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HM Coastguard Southport posted on Facebook saying: "Tasked to two persons cut off on Great Bank, a few kilometres north west of the RSPB carpark at Marshside. Southport Offshore Rescue Trust were asked to send their quad bikes to the casualties, and successfully recovered them both back to safety.

"Our flank team HM Coastguard Crosby were also requested to attend, along with the area’s Argocat tracked vehicle which is kept at Crosby. The marsh area the casualties were rescued from includes the Ribble Estuary, and large areas of mud and sand.

"It is extremely dangerous. The two casualties were from outside the area, and unfamiliar with the marshes, and also unaware of the tide times.

"After discovering the casualties were intending to walk to Blackpool, strong words of advice were offered."