West Kirby RNLI rescues two people stranded by rising tides

On Friday (4 April), while West Kirby Launch Authority, Andy Brown and Crew Member, Will Jones were conducting routine checks on the D class lifeboat, Leonard Pownall, the landline rang.

One casualty was on the line, reporting that they had been cut off by the incoming tide and were surrounded by water. Fortunately, Will was on hand at the station to raise the alarm immediately, notify HM Coastguard and launch the lifeboat.

Will stayed on the phone with the casualty to find their location, advising them on how to find a safe spot while keeping them calm. When the lifeboat launched, he passed the phone to fellow crew member, Liam Dufley, who remained on the call to reassure the casualties while the lifeboat made its way to their location.

The boat was launched within 10 minutes and headed towards the islands. The crew soon spotted the casualties, who were stranded between Middle Eye and Little Eye, in a challenging position amid deep gullies and slippery rocks. After several attempts to reach them from the west side, the crew made the swift decision to navigate around the north end of Hilbre Island to approach from the east, successfully recovering them.

With the casualties safely onboard, the crew returned to shore at Sandy Lane, where they were met by the Coastguard Response Team. Although the casualties were slightly wet, they thankfully required no medical attention due to the quick response of the lifeboat.

Following the rescue, the lifeboat was then thoroughly cleaned, refuelled, and made ready for service.

West Kirby Launch Authority, Andy Brown, said:

‘Thankfully, when the casualties called an unmanned lifeboat station, our crew happened to be conducting maintenance checks. This fortunate timing meant we could quickly raise the alarm and keep them on the phone for reassurance until the lifeboat reached them.

‘It’s been a busy week for West Kirby lifeboat crew, with this being our fifth shout in just seven days. Alongside rescues, our volunteer team are also preparing for an exercise and crew meeting next week, which is a testament to their dedication to always being ready to respond.

‘I’d like to say a huge thank you to all our helms, crew members, the Coastguard Team and a special shout-out to the families at home who keep everything going while our crew are out saving lives.

‘Please remember, if you’re planning a visit to the islands, always check the tide times using the Wirral Council website, and make sure you allow enough time to return safely. As a rule of thumb, we recommend leaving the islands at least three hours before high tide. Always carry a means of calling for help, and if you find yourself in trouble, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’