Family of Nine Rescued From Mud on Bank Holiday
By vickifitz | Tuesday, June 01, 2010, 10:00
LIFEBOAT crews and the RAF rescue helicopter sprung into action on Bank Holiday Monday to rescue a family of nine.
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Anna stock mud and Helicopter
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Helicopter closes lifeboat
Both Weston-super-Mare RNLI lifeboats plus the RAF helicopter Rescue 169 were called to save the family members trapped by the mud at the entrance to the River Axe.
At 5.34pm Swansea Coastguard informed Weston Lifeboat Station that nine persons were in difficulties in the mouth of the River Axe.
Both lifeboats were launched within minutes of being paged and proceeded to the scene at best speed.
The D Class lifeboat “Anna Stock” was first on the scene to find three adults and six children from Birmingham had been trying to cross the River Axe to get to the Brean shore.
However, they had become stuck in the mud and were exhausted and in difficulties.
The children, one of whom was only an infant, were suffering greatly from exhaustion so the lifeboat beached itself alongside them and the crew assisted the worst affected casualties on board.
Here they were given first aid, including the use of space blankets to warm them up as they were starting to develop hypothermia.
The helicopter, Rescue 169, from RAF Chivenor had been summoned and five of the casualties were airlifted to the shore.
The other four were picked up by the Atlantic 75 life boat “Coventry and Warwickshire” which ferried them to the shore at Weston Bay Yacht Club.
RNLI Helmsman Liam McDermott said, “This is the most dangerous part of Weston Bay.
"It looks simple to cross but is impossible.
"If you are a local person and see anyone trying to cross here make sure you warn them of the dangers and call the emergency services if they get into difficulties.”
After the casualties were rescued the lifeboats waited until the tide refloated the “Anna Stock” and they both then proceeded back to their base on Birnbeck Island and readied for service by 6.55pm.
The accompanying pictures show the helicopter hovering over the lifeboat and the lifeboat crew rescuing the casualties from the mud.
Comments
Glad to hear new signs have gone up. Hopefully it will mean a less busy summer for the lifeboat crews!
By vickifitz at 23:09 on 10/06/10
ReportReference extra Signs, North Somerset District Council and the RNLI have been jointly involved in the Design and Installation of New Safety Signage along the whole length of the Sea front at Weston. These are now all in place and give very detailed advice for each location complete with Emergency Contact Details in the event of an Emergency. This has been part of the RNLI National Sea Side Safety Initiative Signage, which has a Uniform Design and Layout throughout the whole of the UK and Ireland which makes it easier for the General Public to Understand. more details can be found at http://tinyurl.com/2dh47ru or local RNLI Information is available at http://tinyurl.com/kvdssr
Unfortunately you will always find a small number of the public who will choose to ignore the Safety Information how ever many signs are installed.
By Pedro65 at 22:50 on 10/06/10
ReportMany thanks for your kind comments, they are most appreciated by our team at Weston Lifeboat Station.
By Pedro65 at 22:34 on 10/06/10
ReportYes they do. Not quite sure why they did not get involved in this rescue though. People do not realise how dangerous the mud down here is! Perhaps some new signs should go up detailing how many rescues have taken place, like you see on the road casualty signs!
By vickifitz at 10:39 on 01/06/10
ReportI thought that the Fire Brigade had a hovercraft for such eventualities - where was this and why wasn't it deployed? I understand It is a much safer and better rescue craft for mud rescues.
Well done to the lifeboat crews and all those involved. Yet again people find out the true worth of this great volunteer led organisation when it matters.
Let's hope the visitors become supporters and give a little back!
By Arthursoft Studios Ltd at 10:23 on 01/06/10
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